A major milestone was recorded yesterday, July 1, 2025, as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo State Council, under the leadership of Comrade Precious Nwadike, honored members whose relentless efforts led to the recovery of the union’s secretariat from private takeover. The event, held at the union’s headquarters on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, officially recognized the role of these journalists in what many describe as a defining chapter for press freedom in Imo State.
The individuals, now formally known as “Media Diamond Members (MDM),” were celebrated for standing against a syndicate allegedly led by a retired photographer, Chris Akaraonye, and his accomplices including former Imo NUJ Chairman, Innocent Igwe, and the National NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo. The group had controversially sold the expansive union secretariat to a former state governor through a proxy company, Enedo General Services.
Speaking at the ceremony, Comrade Nwadike described the honorees as “defenders of journalistic integrity,” praising their courage to confront a cabal that sought to mortgage the future of Imo journalists. “What we celebrate today is not just a building recovery but the restoration of our collective dignity as professionals,” he said.
Among those decorated were media veterans like Steve Uzoechi, Elder Lambert Ojukwu, Vivian Ottih Esq, George Onyejiuwa, Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, and posthumous honorees like Sunny Ejiogu and Delight N. Okoronkwo. The honored list spans over 40 journalists whose commitment to the struggle inspired a statewide media solidarity movement.
During the event, several speakers recalled how the battle took years of petitions, court actions, media campaigns, and physical mobilization by NUJ members across the state. They thanked the Imo State Government and civil society organizations who stood with the union during the crisis.
Beyond the awards, the NUJ leadership unveiled the council’s new Workstation Initiative, designed to improve productivity, digital reporting skills, and press conference hosting capacities within the secretariat.
With the successful recovery of the property and the institutional reforms already underway, observers say the Imo NUJ is now poised for a new era of responsible journalism and member welfare.
