The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, has announced activities to mark the 2025 NUJ Press Week/Man of The Year Award.Press Week is an annual event when journalists and other media professionals flash back, Examine the journey so far, highlight the importance of journalism and the role of the Press in society, as well as reflect on their responsibilities, discuss challenges, as well as project for the future to ensure professionalism..This year’s Press Week has the theme; “The Media and Our State Anambra: Reportage in Election Year”.Updating members on the preparations so far, during the August Congress, the Chairman of this year’s Planning Committee, Comrade Francis Ekpone, said the Press Week begins on Monday, August, 25, 2025, with a novelty match between the NUJ and Anambra Patriots for Soludo at Paul University field, Awka by 4pm.According to Comrade Ekpone Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Journalists will take a tour of all state Government major projects in the 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. Interested members should register with just one thousand naira only as we have mouth watering gifts for participants and winners this year.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 hold at the International Convention Centre ( ICC), Awka starting by 10 am.While 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), while the Chief host is the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya.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 press release for the event reads:“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 CivilSociety 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:1. *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;2. *Hon. Ikechukwu Okafor,* CEO Prince Iyke Construction Company.Winner, NUJ Anambra Most Inspiring Youth Leader Award, 2025.3. Hon. Dr. ThankGod Chibuike Anago (Mayor, Awka North LGA). Winner, NUJ Anambra Most Outstanding Mayor Of The Year, 2025.4. *Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha* , Special Adviser to Governor of Anambra state on Youth Empowerment. Winner, Most Outstanding Youth Leader of the Year5. 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 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.*Expected Guests*This year, we are expecting over two thousand guests. MrGovernor, 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.Appreciating the Chairman of NUJ, Anambra council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (PhD) and all the Exco members of the council for assisting the planning committee towards having a successful press week and awards ceremony, Comrade Ekpone enjoined mm all members to join hands with the committee to achieve it’s intended purpose.
