WRITTEN BY EMEKA NWACHUKWU
It was a celebration of achievements, life and friendship as Alumni Association of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria Nsukka(UNN) hosted the news editor of The Guardian, Ojoto, Anambra State born Mr. Marcel Mbamalu as part of activities to mark his birthday celebration on Saturday, 12th January 2019.

The event, which held at the Victoria Island, Lagos office of Centre For Values in Leadership (CVL) attracted scholars, media executives, professionals from all walks of life, friends and family of Mbamalu who they say has impacted the lives of many.

Chanting songs of celebration in honour of the media expert, the alumni applauded him for his role in redefining journalism practice in Nigeria and The Guardian for its achievements so far.

They described the journalist with over 15 years experience in news gathering, reporting and editing as a determined editor with far-reaching network of contacts and news sources across Nigeria and Africa.

Chairman of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi described Mr. Mbamalu as “lover of human development.” He commended the versatility of the media professional, who, according to him, continues to inspire and mentor younger people into journalism through his works, acts and deeds.

Utomi further prayed that almighty God continues to grant him longer life, good health to enjoy his passion, and more fruitful years of service to humanity and the nation.

Mbamalu in his response said, “I thank everyone of you, especially Prof. Utomi who has for a very long time been a mentor to me; he was my mentor without knowing it until we even met and the relationship has been sustained and made even better.”
“So whatever he has said about me and my profession, he has played a major role there. I thank God for him and for everyone here because you have all inspired me one way or the other, so today I appreciate you all and say God bless you”.

He described the journalism profession as “a job only the passionate can do” and decried what he called the emerging vice of fake news and corruption in journalism practice. He however expressed confidence in the potentiality of good journalism to turn the country around and keep it on the path of development.

Mbamalu holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mass Communication, UNN and a Master of Science (MSc) in Mass Communication, Unilag. He is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Mass Communication, UNN. In addition, he has attended various international as well as local courses and conferences including: IFAD Training in Agribusiness and Agricultural Reporting (Italy); AfDB/Thomson Reuters Training in Coverage of Development Issues in Africa (Tunisia); Next Einstein Forum (NEF) (Rwanda); Africa CEO Forum (Switzerland); Highway Africa Conference for Journalists (South Africa); Africomm Telecommunications Conference (South Africa); IFC Training in Financial Reporting (Lagos); Business and Economic Reporting, School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos); among others too numerous to mention.

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