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By Njoku Macdonald Obinna
It was more than a media summit, but a journalism clinic for cross- fertilization of ideas; xraying the many challenges faced by media practitioners in the South East while profering solutions on the way forward.
The need for socio-economic re-engineering and development of journalism practice in the South East for robust engagement and healthy competitiveness among their contemporaries in the South West in particular, and rest of the region informed the decision of Nigerian Horn Group of Newspapers in collaboration with the South East Media Practitioners to convoke South East Media Summit and Awards at the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, capital of Imo State, Wednesday, August 14, 2024; where critical stakeholders and media practitioners across the five states in the South Eastern part of Nigeria came in their numbers to attend the August media summit.
A novel media summit that afforded the practitioners, critical stakeholders in the industry, the awardees, as well as invited special guests the opportunity to have deeper reflections on how to use the media as a powerful and verital tool in developing home- through conscious efforts in telling our stories, in projecting the South East in a positive light, investing in South East media houses, supporting independent publishers, encouraging news reporters, equipping the practitioners through periodic trainings and providing modern ICT equipment for robust engagement and competitiveness.
Among the special guests and awardees at the watershed media summit was a distinquished Nigerian patriot, scholar, statesman, uncommon philantropist and boardroom business strategist; Chairman, Megadrill Oil & Gas, Dr. Ejike Chukwu (MON), who was honoured with a prestigious award of Hero of Humanitarian Intervention in recognition of his immeasurable contributions towards touching and saving lives, empowering minds through educational scholarships, poverty alleviation, empowernment of Imo widows, and numerous less privileged in Nigeria.
The Ohaji /Egbema born Abuja based business maverick and uncommon philantropist, Dr.Ejike Chukwu’s life is a tapestry of devotion to God, unquantifiable service to humanity, and unwavering commitment to nation building. Little wonder, he was conferred with a national honor of Member Order of the Niger (MON) by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).
A true patriot and distinquished Nigerian. As one of the noteable and remarkable leaders Imo State has ever produced, the trajectory of Dr. Ejike Chukwu’s life narratives are laden with the stories of countless lives he has impacted, as well as his indelible imprints in scholarly discuss, advocacy for the development of the Niger Delta region, and intervention in the education sector, health sector, job creation, youth empowernment, and several humanitarian interventions.
To keen observers of Imo State political leadership matrix and social discuss, it was no surprise that Dr. Ejike Chukwu (MON, FCIA) was singled out among other eminently qualified awardees and prominent special guests at the event to present the award of Most Friendly Media Governor to His Excellency, Sen.Hope Uzodimma, CON, ably represented by his Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Hon. Chief Declan Emelumba.
Sound, soft speaking, humble, a charming personality with no controversy, Dr. Ejike Chukwu commended the governor , Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for his show of support to Imo journalists and media practitioners in the state providing them with brand new buses to facilitate their media engagement and other interstate assignments.
Applauding Nigerian Horn Group of Newspapers and South East Media Practitioners for the novel and laudable media summit in Owerri, he however, charged Imo Journalists to channel more energy in projecting the state in a very positive light so as to change the ugly story being dished out in the media space of Imo State being overtaken by insecurity and kidnapping, regretting that such ugly narrative scars prospective investors away from investing in the state as they go to Lagos and other perceived peaceful areas to invest. He, therefore , called for a paradigm shift in the style of reportage and challenged the practitioners to do more of developmental journalism.
The media summit was attended by the governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, is ably represented by the Imo Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, former Imo State governor, Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, Chief Mike Ejiogu, Okenze Obinna, Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri, Dr. Batos Nwadike, Prof. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe , Prof. Edyna Njoku, among other diginatries.
The event was chaired by Chief Mike Onuoha.
