Former Enugu Governor and the Legacy of Nsukka Press Centre

 Samson Ezea 

There is no doubt that Nsukka, once a sleepy town in Enugu North Senatorial zone, now boisterous and bubbling courtesy of massive infrastructural development provided by the immediate past administration in Enugu State has a place in history for many good reasons.

     Apart from housing the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), newly established State University of Medical And Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Igbo Ano and Federal Polytechnic Ohodo and others, foremost Nigerian leader and renowned journalist of international repute, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe,  who used the journalism profession to fight for the Nigeria independence alongside other nationalists spent the rest of his life in Nsukka.   

   In the same vein, the people of Nsukka in Enugu North Senatorial zone have produced many of the finest and renowned journalists in Nigeria. They include Senator Ayogu Eze, Late Obinwa Nnaji, Bar. Chijioke Edeoga, Chijioke Amunnadi, late Dr. Nick Idoko, Chuks Ugwoke, Ike Abonyi, Felix Oguejioffor Abugu, Kenneth Ezea, Dr. Malachy Agbo, Aka Eze Aka, Samson Ezea, Onyekachi Ugwu, Emeka Mamah, Sir Emeka Attamah,  Agatha Agu, Mrs Amaka Ukwuaba-Nnaji, Charles Abba, Comrade Aloysius Attah, Nkem Ossai, Francis Edeh, Dr. Ejike Obetta, Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Okechukwu Obetta, Sunday Ani, Alike, Ikechukwu Eze, Linus Aleke, Willy Eya,  Emma Nnadozie, James Eze, Sam Otti, Onyedika Agbedo, Dennis Agbo,Romanus Ugwu, Chijioke Attah, Hon. Harrison Ogara, Ikem Okuhu, Ike Okenyi, Paul Oduenyi, Dr. Ike Iyioke, Sam Udekwe and many others. 

  Despite these outstanding and remarkable feats, the zone had no media edifice or office of repute and standard for the media practitioners and journalists. Even with the establishment of the Nsukka  Federated Correspondents Chapel, the zonal arm of NIgerian Union of Journalists (NUJ ), the fourth estate of the realm had no office to operate from. 

   It was in the light of this that the immediate past administration in Enugu State, with its utmost regard and respect for the press which it saw as partner in development, embarked on the massive rehabilitation of the dilapidated Enugu NUJ Press Centre and construction of a modern Press Centre at GRA Nsukka, which is the first of its kind in the town since independence and establishment. 

   The Nsukka Press Centre which has 54 seater capacity conference hall downstair, 36 seater capacity hall upstair, 2 VIP lounge, a reception hall and five rooms office space was completed, commissioned and handed over to the Nsukka Federated Correspondents Chapel’s Chairman Comrade Ike Okenyi on May 26, 2023 by the Enugu State Government.

   Appreciating God for using the immediate past administration of Ugwuanyi to make the state of art Nsukka Press Centre, a reality, the leadership of the Nsukka Federated Correspondents Chapel on December 30, 2023 formally dedicated the dignitying edifice and honoured him and others with prestigious awards for their numerous contributions to the development of society and friendly media relationships. 

  During the homily, Rev. Fr. Fidel Asogwa urged the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to discharge their duties effectively for the betterment of the society. 

  Also speaking, the representative of Bishop Godfrey Onah, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Asadu, who is in charge of social communications in the Nsukka Catholic Diocese, thanked the state government for constructing the befitting and long overdue edifice for the Nsukka journalists. 

   In his appreciative and emotion-laden speech titled: “NUJ Nsukka Press Centre…A Promise Fulfilled As A Word Became A Bond.” the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Ike Okenyi said: “My people, I crave your indulgence to permit me to  recognise and welcome in a special way our benefactor, the immediate past administration in Enugu State. Without them we wouldn’t have had reasons to gather here in the first instance. They are the reason we are celebrating today.

   “In the words of Alex Banayan,”When I interviewed Maya Angelou, an American poet Laureate ,she told me to write down this sentence,”EVERY STORM RUNS OUT OF WATER.”

  And according to the Holy Writ,there is time for everything under the Sun and behold today to the glory of God we are devoting and blessing  this monumental land mark signature of the immediate past administration as a symbol of his friendship with the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm in Nsukka.

   Thus Ugwuanyi as a great leader hearkened to advice of Seneca(a Roman philosopher),”every individual bears the responsibility to be of value to society.If possible, to benefit a large number, if not, to benefit a smaller group;if that too seems unattainable, to benefit their immediate community.”

   And of course, according to the great sage, Epictetus,”serving one’s country is not about the position one holds , but about how one uses his abilities and virtues to positively impact the society.”

   Frankly speaking, the narratives of the members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ),Nsukka was revolutionised and changed positively on Friday May 26,2023 when this edifice standing before you built by the immediate past administration was officially commissioned and handed over to us.It was an evolution and an upsurge of our renewed hope towards playing our roles well in the contemporary society as press men.

   “That day, I was reminiscent of the travails of our members about accommodation was concerned dating back to the days of late Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe as one of the pioneer members.When we look back we are filled with nostalgia , but then we are motivated and consoled thus ,”go laugh in the places you have cried”.Thank you, for wiping away our tears and fears.Thank you, sir.We appreciate you, sir, for fulfilling your promise of building a press centre for us.”

   He continued: “Why the dedication? Well like we do say in my community , Ohebe-Dim in Igbo-Etiti LGA,”mba ji n’akari ihiyi n’oku:(It is dishonourable to roast a very big tuber of yam rather it is peeled, cooked and pounded to be consumed with good soup).In other words, this magnificent building needs a day set aside for it’s dedicated to God before we open it for public use bearing in mind the two conference halls that could be hired for seminars and for other usages.And also we want you to witness the monumental structure established in Igbo Nsukka by the last  administration in Enugu state.

  “Gratitude is the best of all virtues while ingratitude is the worst of vices.It is in this direction that we say thank you, the immediate past administration in Enugu.  Silver nor gold we do not have, but we are appreciative of your administration’s magnanimity and Macedonic help towards our union.”

 Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of NUJ Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Sam Udekwe said: “This is indeed the first of its kind, East of the Niger.

 It is a distinct pleasure to stand before you today to celebrate the establishment of this remarkable and influential space and it’s worthy of note that this rare development was achieved during my reign as the chairman of the Union in the state. In fact, we shall remain eternally grateful to the immediate past administration in Enugu state, who deemed it suitable and put this structure in place. This is indeed an epitome of the press-friendly leadership and recognition of the Press as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.”

  Members of the Chapel and other awardees which include His Royal Highness Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu(Jnr), Igwe Ogadagidi of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu ancient Kingdom,  Hon.Dr.Emmanuel Ugwuerua, Alhaji Jimo Rauf Badamosi and Chief Ikechukwu Ugwu(aka Eze Omenife) thanked the leadership of Chapel for honouring them and spoke glowingly about the immediate past administration’s vision of building of a modern Press Centre in Nsukka alongside other legacy projects that have rapidly given Nsukka a face-lift, media recognition and economic buoyancy.

   Finally, it is evident that if properly utilized, the Nsukka Press Centre can create employment and generate revenue for its maintenance and sustenance of the Correspondents Chapel.

*Ezea writes from Independence Layout, Enugu State.