From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The crème de la crème of dignitaries cut across the political class, Nigerian Publishers, erudite professors, journalists, among others that honoured the celebration of Comrade Hon Uchenna Cyril Anioke, as current National President of Nigeria Publishers Association(NPAN), at the weekend in Enugu, have proved a point that Journalists can serve and excel in other sectors in the society, while remaining active in practise.
It equally proved a point that Journalists can be celebrated, against our own tradition in practice of reporting and giving prominence to other personalities in the society, while their own activities, success and other endeavours are under reported and scarcely brought to public knowledge.
Comrade Hon Uchenna Cyril Anioke, the current National President of Nigerian Publishers Association (NPAN) be described to be among Nigerian Journalists who have endeared in various options of the profession, used his experience to reach out to other social service sectors and still practising and elevating journalism profession with the coming of digital communication.
In other words, Comrade Uche Cyril Anioke who initially came into the practise in the analogue years of practise is currently equipped with digital Information and Communication Technologies(ICT) that are enabling to initiate several programmes as ‘Freedom Square, Freedom Square extra, The Eagle,Politics and other Social discuss, which he anchors in both the electronic media(broadcast stations) and social media platforms.
Comrade Anioke who holds both Bachelor degree in Mass Communication and a Masters degree in Mass Communication, from University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in the past three decades has excelled in both Print Media and electronic media practise .He was initially engaged as a field editor with Ilesanmi printing press, Ibadan Oyo state, joined Fourth Dimension, the publishers of the defunct Outlook Newspaper, and also practised with Star Printing press, the publishers of Star Group of Newspapers, both in the defunct old Anambra state.
It is worthy to mention that with his proven integrity, loyalty ,honesty and wealth of experience garnered from the noble profession of Journalism, Comrade Uche Anioke at the long run was able to fit into the political cycle of Enugu state.
To an extent, his adventure into politics fetched him political appointment as the Managing Director of Star printing and Publishing company, publishers of Daily star, Managing Director of Enugu state housing corporation, two term chairman of Awgu local government area, Enugu state, etc.
His noble excellence in journalism profession also fetched him appointments as a one-time National Deputy Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which is the apex body of all Igbo socio cultural organizations for two terms.
Amidst these appointments, Comrade Uche Anioke proved a point that he is not done with active journalism practice. He has authored three books to his credit namely, The Phonics, Missing flute and Moonlight story of Nigeria. Comrade Anioke also has a journal and 23 academic lectures to his credit.
In addition, he owns Acena ventures which comprises of Acena bookshops and mini libraries. He is equally the founder and Chief executive of ‘Pens and voices’,an outfit for publishing and mentoring Youths in arts o writing, and developing reading habits.
In as much as Comrade Anioke currently anchors many communication outfits, exploiting the advantages of ICT and digital techs, he is a trained Mediator and conciliator He is a visiting lecturer, Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development studies, Enugu State University of Science and Technology(ESUT).
Based on his excellence in the Media industry which has opened a wide gate for him to excel in other sectors of human endeavour, a group of Journalist who came under the umbrella of ‘Media Friends of Comrade Hon Uchenna Cyril Anioke brainstormed and came up with the idea to celebrate him in his latest feather and position as National President of Nigeria Publishers Association(NPAN).
The August occasion which attracted dignitaries from all sectors was graced by a former deputy senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, representing Enugu West senatorial district, Hon Toby Okechukwu, representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency and his counterpart, Hon Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi, representing Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency.
The current officials of Nigeria Publishers Association were adequately represented, including the immediate past NPAN president and current National vice President (North),Alhaji Tahir Abdulazeez, among others.
Speaking to news men, the Chairman of Nigeria Copy rights commission, Dr John Essien, said they are not only in Enugu to celebrate Uche Anioke, but to seek ways of fostering partnership between NPAN and NCC on how to salvage the publishing industry in Nigeria from dying.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Hon Toby Okechukwu and Hon Oguerinwa Amadi, in their respective speeches poured encomiums on Hon Cyril Anioke, for having impacted in several sectors.
In his vote of thanks, Hon Anioke thanked the Enugu state governor, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Hon Toby Okechukwu,Hon Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi, and others of the political class, for their support to his election.
