From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Chapter, has announced a vibrant schedule of events for its 2025 Press Week and Man of the Year Awards, slated for August 24 to 31, 2025. The events aim to promote journalistic excellence, community service, and stakeholder engagement.
Comrade Ekpone Francis Emeka, Chairman, NUJ Anambra 2025 Planning Committee made this known during a press conference at the NUJ State Secretariat as part of activities marking the 2025 NUJ Man of The Year Award and Press Week.
He said that Press Week is an annual ritual where journalists and other media professionals highlight the importance of journalism and the role of the press in the society. It is a period when journalists reflect on their responsibilities, discuss challenges, and promote ethical and responsible reporting.
According to the committee chairman, this year’s press week begins on Monday, August, 25, 2025 with a Novelty Match between Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Anambra Patriots for Soludo. The match will kick off by 4:pm at Paul University field, Awka.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Journalists will take a tour of all state Government major projects in Anambra state including the Solution Fun City, Light House, Urban Regeneration projects in Okpoko, Obá Drug Market, the Ekwulobia Flyover and the three major dual carriage ways under construction among others.
“Our interest is to see first hand the numerous projects delivered by Mr. Governor within three years. We thank Mr. Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo for approval of this very important project tour”.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025, will be indoor games which will feature Whot, Ncho, Skipping, Scrabble, Draft, Ludo and Table tennis. He urged interested members to register with N1,000, promising a mouth watering gifts for participants and winners this year.
On same Wednesday, Journalists will also visit Amawbia Correctional Centre to donate some gift items to inmates as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Thursday, August 28, 2025 will be the grand finale, which will hold at the International Convention Centre ( ICC), Awka starting by 10 am.
Comrade Ekpone announced that the Guest of Honour is the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, while the event Chairman is Chief Primus Odili (Oke Osisi Aguleri), and the Chief host is the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Media and Our State Anambra: Reportage in Election Year”.
The keynote speech will be delivered by the First Lady of Anambra State and Founder #Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, Dr. Nonye Soludo (Mmiliguruegu).
The Guest Speaker is Prof Angela Nkiru Nwammuo, fnipr, Member, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Governing Council and Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Anambra State Chapter; while the discussants that will throw more light on the theme are: the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa; MD/CEO ABS Radio and Television Awka, Mr. Christopher Molokwu; the Parish Priest, St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Awka, Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Michael Okechukwu Enyosiobi as well as the chairman, Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONet) and President, International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), Mr. Chris Azor.
On Man of The Year and Other Awards, the committee chairman said, “This year, five persons were selected for this year’s award while Arch. Okey Ezeobi emerged as the top winner of the highly coveted NUJ Anambra Man of the Year award after due external and internal selection process.
“The man of the year winner, Arch. Okey Ezeobi is the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement. Before assuming public office, he was the Chairman, Dwellins International Ltd, an architectural firm.
“Arch. Okey Ezeobi will take over the mantle from a renowned Canada based Medical Practitioner, Dr. Anthony Chinedu Umeadi (Agunechemba Abagana) who emerged the 2024 NUJ Man of the year.”
Other awardees unclude Hon. Dr. ThankGod Chibuike Anago (Mayor, Awka North LGA). Winner, NUJ Anambra Most Outstanding Mayor Of The Year, 2025 and Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha, Special Adviser to Governor of Anambra State on Youth Empowerment. Winner, Most Outstanding Youth Leader of the Year among others.
Speaking on Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism, Comrade Ekpone, thanked the NUJ Matriarch, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna for initiating the award aimed at encouraging their colleagues who dress, write and behave very well in the society.
“It may interest us to know that Prof. Okunna has increased the price money to One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira ( N150,000) and this year, first and second runners up shall also be appreciated. So, she is spending over Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) for the award this year. Prof. Okunna has also promised to provide Two Million Naira endowment fund for this award for its sustainability. This is a welcome development and we thank her and the award committee for doing an excellent job.”
He said that this year, the Union is expecting over two thousand guests. Mr. Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor and other Commissioners and Government appointees from Anambra State, the Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council, Anambra State and 2025 Royal Father of the day, HRH Igwe Chidubem Iweka and other prestigious traditional rulers, the clergy, captains of industries, community leaders, students of Mass Communication and other stakeholders.
The committee chairman commended the Chairman of NUJ, Anambra Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD and all the Exco members of the Council for assisting the planning committee toward having a successful press week and awards ceremony.