By Emeka Chiaghanam
Council chairman praises the anniversary programme
and calls for stronger professional ethics, training and improved working
facilities
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra
State Council, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, has celebrated the success of the
council’s 35th anniversary and 2026 Man of the Year Awards, while urging
journalists to remain committed to truth and professional responsibility.
Odogwu spoke on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the grand
finale of the anniversary and Press Week programme held at Anabelle Event
Centre, Awka.
The event, organised under the theme, “Anambra NUJ, 35 Years
On: Reporting With Truth, Responsibility And Service,” brought together
journalists, guests and award recipients to mark the council’s journey and
consider its future priorities.
Odogwu said the next major task was to remodel the council’s
press centre into a better working environment, using gifts and support
received from individuals and organisations.
“By this time next year our press centre should take a very
good shape,” he said, adding that the facility would be developed into an
attractive professional space for journalists in Anambra State.
He said the improvement would help end the practice of
journalists relying on informal places, including eateries, when preparing and
filing reports.
“The era of journalists going to eat rice to do their
stories is over,” Odogwu said. “This time around the journalist will be in the
press centre and do the things they are supposed to do.”
The council chairman described the anniversary celebration
as a major success, despite doubts in some quarters about whether the event
would hold or attract a strong turnout.
He attributed the outcome to God’s grace, saying his
administration remained determined to complete the programme even when some
people had already dismissed its prospects.
“To God be the glory,” Odogwu said. “So many people were
doubting that today will be a success, but God is faithful. Today you can
witness that it is a huge success.”
He said the successful event reflected the commitment and
dedication of his administration, adding that determination, hard work and
divine support could help overcome difficult challenges.
“Can I do anything without God’s grace?” he asked. “God’s
grace is sufficient and because it’s sufficient, there is nothing I look upon I
cannot conquer.”
Odogwu urged the award recipients to accept their honours
with pride and use the recognition to support the growth of the union and the
wider journalism profession.
He explained that the awards were not primarily intended to
raise money, although financial contributions from recipients and supporters
would be appreciated and directed towards addressing the council’s needs.
The chairman specifically appealed to the honourees to
assist with professional training, capacity building and other initiatives
aimed at improving journalists’ skills and working conditions.
He also reminded NUJ members of their wider responsibility
to society, describing journalists as its watchdog, conscience and moral voice.
“As moral parameters of society, as watchdog of society, as
conscience of society, journalists should live up to expectation always and
every time,” he said.
Odogwu urged journalists to work harder, remain courageous
and defend professional standards, stressing that their conduct could either
strengthen public trust or weaken confidence in the media.
“Fear nothing, do the right thing, stand on the truth,” he
told members, calling on them to ensure that the profession continued to serve
society with responsibility and integrity.
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