By Mercy Edewor (Media/Society Reporter)
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, felicitates with journalist and fervent Buharist, Abuchi Anueyiagu, as he clocks 60 on Thursday May 6, 2021.
Also, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian NewsLeader Newspapers, Celestine Okafor, and veteran Journalist and activist lawyer, Richard Akinola, celebrate Anueyiaguin his milestone age attainment.
In a statement same Thursday by President Buhari's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President salutes the staying power of Anueyiagu, a long-time supporter, who has weathered all storms to stand by his convictions, saying; “more of such men are needed at times like this in our country.”
The Nigerian leader rejoices with the media fraternity, the Anueyiagu family, friends, and associates on the milestone occasion, wishing the journalist good health and length of days to continue serving his community, profession, and the country at large.
In his message of tribute to the celebrant, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian NewsLeader Newspapers and former Editor/Group General Manager (Publications) of LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Celestine Okafor, described Anueyiagu as a true progressive Nigerian, a nationalist and a committed professional Journalist who has used the instrumentality of his profession to spearhead the needed societal change in Nigeria in the past three decades of his practice.
He specifically pointed out the founding of IZUNWANNE, a distinguished body comprising senior Journalists and media editors of Igbo extraction as a platform for the promotion of the interests of the people of his South East region as well as the enthronement of good governance, good values, and visionary leadership in all parts of the Nigerian state. Okafor however urges Anueyiagu to use the occasion of his milestone age to re dedicate himself to the service of his country in whatever capacity he could.
For veteran Journalist and lawyer, Richard Akinola, he said that "Today is his (Abuchi Anueyiagu) day. My dear friend of many years, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu is 60 today. Abuchi is a Buharist to the core. He has been derided and mocked by many people from his ethnic stock for his support for Buhari but he remains undaunted.
"Talking about being 60, Abuchi says “being 60 in the life of a human being, passing through the vagaries and vicissitudes of life, surviving the civil war, coming from a poor family background, suffered set back by the civil war, was born at Onitsha May 6, 1961, and was having a silver spoon upbringing until the civil struck and he found himself in the village where he completed his primary and secondary education and later found himself back to the city, this time Enugu, on a visit to his uncle, trained himself in the university.”
Akinola extolled Anueyiagu, saying that "At Enugu, he eked out a living, founding himself first in broadcasting, later in print journalism and much later again in public relations practice.
"He worked in Vanguard, THISDAY, The Comet, National Interest, among other newspapers. He worked in Sports Souvenir, Complete Football and Climax magazines. He also had a spell with The Guardian as its Correspondent in Ebonyi State. He has held elective positions in journalism and the Church. A Two time Chairman of Correspondents' Chapel of the NUJ Enugu State Council, comprising representatives of national newspapers, radio and television stations that are not based in Enugu.
"He was twice the State Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). He was Secretary of Sacred Heart Parish Council for 6 years. He led his home town union in Enugu for nine years. Currently he's the Worthy President of Comm.638 Uwani Enugu, Knights of St. John International (KSJI). At Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank where he works, he's the PRO and head of human resources.
Happy Diamond birthday my paddy, my long-time reliable, good friend in the real sense of it. Welcome to the club", Akinola stated. NNL.
