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The Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, is among the distinguished indigenes of Abia State honoured at the Abia Day celebration organised by the Abia State Towns Union Association (ABSTUA) at the weekend.
Abia Day is the annual gathering of illustrious sons and daughters of Abia State at home and in the diaspora. This year’s celebration saw the fund-raising for N500 million Abia House and Investment Hub in Lagos.
Ukeh was honoured with the Distinguished Award of Excellence in Media – Newspaper Guru.
Other distinguished awardees include, Eze Aro, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji; Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; Dr. Uche Ogah; Chief Moses Kalu and Ugwuaro Victor Okonkwo, among others.
Apart from the awards, the event also featured a fund-raising launch of N500 million for the building of Abia House in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, represented by the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, congratulated the organisers of the event for the proposed Abia House and assured them of the support of the state government in the realisation of the project.
He announced a personal donation of a trailer-load of cement in support of the project, even as he urged Abia citizens resident in Lagos to live peacefully with their host community and members of other communities.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Mazi Ohuabunwa, welcomed everyone to the event and said that Abia State Town Unions Association, ASTUA, the apex Abia socio-cultural organisation in Lagos, consists of dozens of communities and town unions, representing various parts of Abia resident in Lagos.
He said that the major purpose of the occasion was to raise funds for the construction of a multipurpose complex that would serve as Abia House, as well as a permanent secretariat for ASTUA in Lagos, empowerment centre and a business hub for Abia indigenes.
In his opening address, Mazi Chuks Nwosu, President of Abia State Town Unions Association, appreciated the Abia State governor and other distinguished guests and awardees, stating that the occasion was specifically put together to raise funds for the construction of a befitting Abia Town Hall and secretariat in Lagos.
Nwosu regretted that for too long the association had been holding meetings in rented facilities, while calling on everyone to support and donate generously towards the realisation of a befitting structure for ndi Abia in Lagos.
In his speech at the event, His Eminence, Eze Aro stated that the gathering was a celebration of “our identity and a reminder that no matter where we find ourselves, we must never lose sight of who we are, where we come from and the responsibility we bear towards generations yet unborn.”
He emphasised the importance of unity, organisation and collective responsibility among the Abia people in the diaspora, even as he charged town unions to remain strong institutions for the preservation of cultural heritage, empowerment of the people and the youths, while serving as a strong voice of the communities.
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While lending his voice to the vision behind the proposed N500 million Abia House in Lagos, Eze Aro stated: “Apart from serving as a permanent home for every Abian in Lagos, it will serve as a centre for cultural preservation, community development, government engagement and opportunities for our people.”
Speaking on why Ukeh was honoured, the President of ABSTUA said it was in recognition of his outstanding contributions to journalism and the newspaper industry, his visionary leadership as Managing Director of The Sun Newspaper, his commitment to truth, professionalism and national development and his laudable achievements as a proud Abian who has brought honour to Abia State.
In his response, Ukeh expressed appreciation to the leadership and entire membership of the Abia State Town Union Association for finding him worthy of this prestigious honour.
He said the recognition of his work and contributions to journalism was “deeply gratifying, encouraging and inspiring. I do not take this recognition for granted.”
The Sun MD said the award was not merely a recognition of his modest contributions to journalism “but an affirmation of the enduring value of the newspaper profession and the indispensable role of the media in shaping society, strengthening democracy and holding power accountable.”
Talking about his job, he said: “Over the years, I have come to appreciate that a newspaper is much more than a collection of printed pages. It is an institution of democracy, a custodian of history, a marketplace of ideas and a platform for informed public discourse. At critical moments in the life of a nation, the newspaper also serves as a powerful voice against misinformation, injustice, abuse of power and the erosion of fundamental freedoms.
“This recognition further reinforces my conviction that we must remain steadfast in upholding the highest standards of professional journalism, defending press freedom and preserving the credibility of the media. Journalism must continue to serve as a veritable instrument for democratic development, national unity, social justice and positive societal transformation.
Ukeh said Abia indigenes should look beyond this personal recognition to reflect on their collective responsibility.
He said: “We all have a duty to project our state positively through our conduct, character, achievements and contributions to society. Abia is proudly known as God’s Own State, endowed with a rich cultural heritage, abundant human capital and a vibrant, enterprising and resourceful population, particularly its youthful generation.
“The talent, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of Abia people are evident wherever they are found. We have what it takes to make our state a leading light in Nigeria and beyond. The responsibility of translating this enormous potential into tangible progress rests on all of us. Through our individual and collective efforts, we must work towards building an Abia State where development is visible and sustainable, justice and equity prevail, opportunities abound and every citizen has a genuine chance to realise his or her potential. That is how we can truly make Abia live up to its proud identity as God’s Own State.”
He expressed delight that his honour came from an organisation that recognises professional excellence and appreciates the contributions of its sons and daughters to society, stating, “It is a reminder that our achievements, no matter where they are recorded, should ultimately add value to our communities and inspire the generations coming behind us.”
Ukeh affirmed his love for journalism, declaring: “I am proud to be a journalist. I am proud to be an indigene of Abia State. And I am proud to be associated with an organisation that understands the importance of journalism and has chosen to celebrate excellence in the profession.”
