.As Anyanwu Partners With Imo Publishers Association
.Jude Ejiogu, Lemmy Akakem, Ajumbe, CONA Grace Event
.Emelumba, CPS, Oguwuike, Harritex, Onyeneke Show Presence
Award ceremony of INPA man of the year 2023 took place on Saturday 9th of March 2024 at De Legends Hotel Owerri where a notable Son of the state and a Lagos based freight forwarding guru, Eziopara Ben Anyanwu was conferred with the honour. The event which had a roll call of media personalities from within and outside the state was chaired by the former Governor of the state, Chief Dr Ikedi Ohakim, represented by Professor Cona Anosike while Governor Hope Uzodinma who was Chief Guest of Honour was represented by his former Commissioner for Information, Chief Declan Emelumba.
This is the second of such Award ceremony organised by the Imo State Newspaper Publishers Association which is a body put together for the regulation and discipline of practitioners. The pioneer recipient of the award was wife of the late Governor of Ondo state, Chief Mrs Betty Akeredolu.
Receiving the man of the year award, the Awardee thanked INPA for finding him fit and proper to be conferred with the honour, assuring the body of his “willingness and desire to open a chapter of robust partnership with them that will focus on good governance monitoring and development evaluation”. He remarked that the business of newspapering in information dissemination is critical in assisting governments to perform better. Noting further he said , ” our government must be helped to succeed, especially now that the country is at the lowest ebb of development. It is the role of organisations like INPA to set agenda for development and ensure it is followed by oversighting the ministries, departments and appointees to ensure that they are on track”.
The Obube born philanthropist however used the opportunity to applaud the governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma over his achievements in infrastructural development, especially in the areas of road rehabilitation in Owerri Federal constituency and pleaded for his immediate intervention in the Naze/Egbu road leading into the multibillion Naira building materials market which is in very bad shape. He called on the governor not to be distracted in his pursuit of the actualisation of Imo state charter of Equity aimed at a peaceful transition of political power among the three geopolitical zones in the state. The Awardee asked the governor to use his position as the Chief security officer of the state to galvanise all the security apparachiks in the state to launch a holistic and decisive attack on the bandits, kidnappers and sundry criminals threatening the peace of the residents and natives of Owerri West. In his keynote address the chairman of the occasion, Chief Ikedi Ohakim through his representative Professor Anosike praised the initiative of INPA in instituting such a programme, noting that it is important the group respects the objectives of the Association for it to endure. In his goodwill message, the governor, represented by Chief Emelumba had pledged support and cooperation with INPA, and charged it to be objective and dispense its duty without influence from outside. In his address, the INPA chairman, Mr Declan Anaele said the recipient of the Award was chosen on the basis of his contributions to the state after an opinion poll from traditional rulers and the Imo public found him suitable. He reeled out some of the problems militating against the Association which includes equipment and finance, maintaining that INPA is the highest private employer of labour in the state.
High point of the occasion was the musical dance performance by the winner of the World dancing competition in 1984, Ambassador Chinagorom.
Some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion included Deputy Chairman of the Imo Elders Council, Prince Lemmy Akakem, Traditional Rulers, Prof Orikeze Ajumbe, former members of the Imo House of Assembly that represented Owerri North constituency, Hons Ray Emeana, Engr Dan Ikpeazu, current IMHA member Hon Kelechi Ofurum, member for Orsu, Orlu Isu Federal constituency, Chief Omeogo, a Media guru, Chief Dr Fidel Onyeneke, Barrister Ambrose Unaeze, Nze Ayo Oparaocha, Hon Mrs Adaure Ohaegbulam, Sir John Ekeanya, and others too numerous to mention.
