REPORTER: IFEANYI CHINWUKO
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Anambra State Council has celebrated her 35th anniversary with the theme : “Anambra NUJ, 35 Years On ; Reporting With Truth, Responsibility And Service.”
The colorful ceremony which took place in Awka, the Anambra State capital, was attended by government officials, religious leaders, captains of industries, media practitioners among other friends of the NUJ.
Declaring the event open, Governor Chukwuma Soludo represented by his Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor described the place of journalists in society as irreplaceable.
The Governor urged journalists in the state to continue reporting responsibly, warning against sensational journalism which is unhealthy to society.
In a remark , the National President of Nigeria Union Journalists, Comrade Alhassan Yahya called on journalists to always stand firm as advocates for justice and fairness and continue to contribute their quota to national development.
Comrade Yahya further stated that the union would continue to champion the security and improved welfare for journalists in the country.
Speaking on the landmark anniversary, the Chairman of NUJ, Anambra State Council, Comrade Emeka Odogwu appreciated all the former chairmen and members of the past executives for their remarkable initiatives, sacrifices and contributions to the growth and development of the Union in the state over the last 35 years.
Comrade Odogwu further noted that his greatest desire was to build a union that is stronger, more united, professionally vibrant and adequately equipped to serve journalists and the society at large.
For his part, the Bishop of Amichi Diocese who served as the the Keynote Speaker, the Right Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor charged journalists not to be partisan but to report accurately, fairly and independently, noting that journalists are not just passing information but are also responsible for the consequences of the information they disseminated.
Earlier in his address, the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Churchill Okonkwo while calling on journalists to always practice journalism with courage and integrity, commended them for their invaluable contributions in the society.
Highpoints of the celebration were presentations of categories of Awards to Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in service to humanity among whom is Mr Chukwudi Chukwuenyem, a former Controller of News and Current Affairs at Radio Nigeria, Purity FM, Awka, and Mr Uche Ndeke, Radio Nigeria, Anambra State Correspondent who received the 2026 Prof. Chinyere Okunna Ethical Journalism Award.
