Governor of Anambra State, Charles Chukwuma Soludo; his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; the Hon. Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice O. M. Anyachebelu; the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor; and other government functionaries are expected at the grand finale... The post Anambra@35: Soludo, Deputy, Others To Grace 2026 NUJ Man Of The Year Award appeared first on New Telegraph .
Governor of Anambra State, Charles Chukwuma Soludo; his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; the Hon. Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice O. M. Anyachebelu; the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor; and other government functionaries are expected at the grand finale of the NUJ Man of the Year Award ceremony on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in Awka.
Chairman of the 2026 Press Week and Coral Anniversary celebrations, Comerade Ekpone Francis Emeka, made this disclosure during a press conference held at Godwin Ezeemo Press Centre, Awka.
The chairman revealed that some Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their areas of specialisation shall be honoured, including Anambra-based journalists who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of journalism practice in Nigeria.
He disclosed that the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man Of The Year is High Chief Martin Nwabueze (Ichie Akubudike Umudioka), a man who has distinguished himself in business and construction, as well as oil and gas internationally.
Ekpone said that Ichie Akubudike Umudioka will take over the mantle from Arch. Okey Ezeobi, who is presently the Honourable Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Anambra State.
According to him, there is a special addition to this year’s award called the 2026 NUJ Anambra Lifetime Man of the Year awardee, which he said will be bestowed on Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, who has distinguished himself in the past 35 years.
“We also have Hon. Obby Nwankwo (Okwuego), who served in about four ministries as Commissioner. He will be recognised as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Public Service Award recipient, and Mr Mmaduabuchi Sylvester Nwosu, the MD/CEO, Bunvy Agency Ltd, who clinched the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Philanthropist of the Decade.
“As well, we have Chief Romanus Chika (Juju Ugbenu), a renowned Philanthropist, community leader and international businessman, as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Most Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year, with Chief Arinze Onwuzuruike (Aridon), Regent, Umunze Traditional Council, as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year awardee, whereas an ex-international banker and investment consultant, Engr. Raphael Ezeike, MD/CEO, Poly Concepts & Consultancy Ltd, is the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Community Development Icon of the Year. And a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Innocent Affusim, CEO, Regina Caeli Specialist Hospital, Awka, emerged as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Medical Professional Service Award recipient.
“On Journalists side, we have Comrade Victor Agusiobo, a two-term chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, who will be recognised by the union as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Long-Term Outstanding Professional Service Award recipient, Comrade Chinyere Fessy-Okoye as 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Professional Service awardee and Chukwudi Chukwuenyem, who shall be honoured as 2026 NUJ Anambra Professional Service Awardee among other awardees which we shall unveil on Thursday, September 10, 2026,” he said.
While rolling out other activities lined up for the NUJ Press Week, Comerade Ekpone said that the event will also feature humanitarian visits to correctional centres, children’s homes, homes for the destitute and old people’s homes.
According to him, Monday, 7 September, 2026, will feature indoor games and recreational activities, including Ludo, Chess, Draft, Whot, Skipping and other indoor games at the Press Centre in Awka, the state capital.
He said that at 3:00 p.m. on the same day, there will be a novelty football match between the NUJ team and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) team. The match, according to him, will kick off at 4:00 pm at Paul University field, Awka.
According to him, Tuesday, 8 September, 2026 will be dedicated to a facility visit to the facilities and business premises of Chief Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Seahorse Lubricant Industries Limited and the Senatorial Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Anambra South; while Wednesday, 9 September, 2026, will feature free medical care for NUJ members, as well as a Social Evening with NUJ National and Zonal Officers, Labour Leaders and other stakeholders. Whereas
Thursday, 10 September, 2026, is the D-Day for the NUJ Press Week Grand Finale, which will take place at Annabelle Event Centre, Awka, by 10:00 am.
He said that the grand finale will feature a keynote address, the presentation of the 2026 NUJ Man of the Year Awards, the Coral Anniversary Celebration, the presentation of the Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism, as well as other ceremonial and entertainment activities.
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