Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State council led by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (PhD, JP) has lived up to expectations. Since assumption of office, the Odogwu-led executive has initiated different programmes and events targeted at impacting lives and society.
Notably, this year’s NUJ Press Week will be a highpoint of over thirty-five events initiated by the council to make its own contributions to the socio-economic development of Anambra State.
As such, tomorrow, all roads will lead to the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Center, Awka for the grand finale of the NUJ Press Week 2023 and for ths presentation of the NUJ Anambra Man of the Year Award. Time is 11am. The Traditional Ruler of Ogidi, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Pharm. Alexander Uzodinma Onyido, (Ezechuamagha of Ogidi) is the 2023 recipient of the award. He will receive the award after Dame Adaora Umeoji, the Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank received it in 2022.
Igwe Onyido was born on 24th November, 1956 in the ancient city of Kano to the family of late Chief and Mrs Dennis Nwafor Onyido (Okaka Ogidi) of Uruezealor Village, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The young Alex started his primary education at Ibo Union Primary School, Kano in 1962. His schooling was disrupted by the Nigeria Civil War of 1967 to1970. He relocated to the East with his parents following the war. After the war, he completed his primary education at Ogbor Primary School, Ogidi in 1971 before attending Oraukwu Grammar School, Oraukwu between 1971 and 1976. He passed his West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE in flying colours. He graduated as a certified pharmacist from Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria in 1982. After his one year internship and National Youth Service, NYSC, he gained employment into Kano State Ministry of Health.
By 1991, Pharmacist Onyido who had risen to the position of Assistant Chief Pharmacist, and Member, Health Services Management Board, Kano State voluntarily resigned his appointment and joined the private sector. He immediately established Pal Pharmaceutical Industry Ltd and later, Alben Healthcare Industry Ltd, Ogidi where he has over 3000 workers, many of whom are from the community. He also divested into the oil and gas sector with the establishment of Pal Oil and Gas Industry Ltd.
A detribalized Nigerian, Ezechuamagha speaks Igbo, Fulani, Hausa, and English Languages fluently. He is married to Mrs Nneka Patricia Onyido and the marriage is blessed with four children who are doing well in their chosen careers.
Igwe Onyido is a philanthropist to the core. He spearheaded the installation of an ICT facility in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and recently built and donated a complex to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. In his community, Ogidi, he placed elderly persons on monthly stipend, pays school fees for indigent persons and attends to the various needs of widows. Through the employment opportunities he created in Ogidi, he has empowered many people and rescued them from poverty. No wonder he unanimously ascended the throne of Ogidi Kingdom on 27th August, 2016 as Ezeeoranyelu, meaning a king chosen by all.
Igwe Onyido is a recipient of many merit and honorary awards including Merit Award of Excellent Contribution to Pharmacy Education in Nigeria by the Nigerian Association of Academic Pharmacists (NAAP) in 2006 and the Icon of Industrial Pharmacists by Nigerian Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP)
Evidently, the choice of Igwe Onyido of Ogidi as the NUJ MAN OF THE YEAR 2023 among many other nominees is truly merited.
Dignitaries expected to grace the NUJ Press Week grand finale and award ceremony are Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; the
Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, and the National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo. The event will be chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinyere Okunna. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa will deliver a keynote speech on the topic: “Pragmatic media practice as an antidote to sustainable development in a distressed economy: A focus on Anambra state”.
The event will also feature the presentation of Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism 2023 and the naming of a project after the 2023 Anambra State NUJ Man of the Year awardee.
Come one, come all!
Written by DR NJIDE EZEONYEJIAKU
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