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By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu

2025 NUJ Anambra State Council Man of the Year Award/ Press Week Committee has reeled out activities to mark the celebrations.

Speaking during a press conference, which is part of activities marking the 2025 NUJ Man of The Year Award and Press Week, the Chairman of the Committee, Comrade Ekpone Francis Emeka said the Press Week is an annual ritual where journalists and other media professionals highlight the importance of journalism and the role of the press in society, noting that it was a period when journalists reflect on their responsibilities, discuss challenges, and promote ethical and responsible reporting.<!--more-->

'Proposed Events for 2025 Press Week/ Award Ceremony. 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 firsthand 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 that will feature Whot, Ncho, Skipping, Scrabble, Draft, Ludo, and Table tennis. Interested members should register with just one thousand naira only as we have mouth-watering gifts for participants and winners this year.

'On the same Wednesday, journalists will also visit Amawbia Correctional Centre to donate some gift items to inmates. This gesture is part of our cooperate social responsibility.

'Thursday, August 28, 2025, will be the grand finale, which will be held at the International Convention Centre ( ICC), Awka starting by 10 am.

'The guest of Honour is the Executive Governor of Anambra state, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

'The event will be chaired by Chief Primus Odili ( Oke Osisi Aguleri), and the chief host is the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya.

'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 of 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 APGA National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, MD/CEO ABS Radio and Television Awka, Mr. Christopher Molokwu, the Parish Priest, St Jude Thadeus 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.

'Man of The Year and Other Awards. 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 a 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 include:
Princess Dr. Jessie Ifeoma Udoka, Founder, CEO, Queentovah Helping Services, and Queentovah Cares Foundation. She is the winner, 2025 NUJ Anambra Philanthropist of the 21st Century; Hon. Ikechukwu Okafor,CEO Prince Iyke Construction Company. Winner, NUJ Anambra Most Inspiring Youth Leader Award, 2025.

'Hon. Dr. ThankGod Chibuike Anago (Mayor, Awka North LGA). Winner, NUJ Anambra Most Outstanding Mayor Of The Year, 2025. Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha* , Special Adviser to Governor of Anambra state on Youth Empowerment. Winner, Most Outstanding Youth Leader of the Year. High Chief Emenike Anthony Nwakaeze ( Odaa Opuo Awba Ofemili). Former president General, Awba Ofemili Town Union, and a producer and importer of Tonnel car paint in Nigeria. Winner 2025 Outstanding Community Service Award.

'Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism*

'We want to thank our Matriarch, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna for initiating this award aimed at encouraging our colleagues who dress, write, and behave very well in 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.

Expected guests: This year, we are expecting over two thousand guests. Mr
Governor, Prof. Charles 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 are all expected at the event.

'We sincerely wish to appreciate the chairman of NUJ, Anambra council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD and all the Exco members of our council for assisting the planning committee towards having a successful press week and awards ceremony. We enjoin all members to join hands with the committee to achieve its intended purpose,' Comrade Ekpone concluded.