The immediate past governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to journalism and the media community in the state.
The induction took place on Thursday, December 4, 2025, during the 2025 NUJ Press Week held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
The event drew journalists, media executives, government officials, and other dignitaries who gathered to honour the former governor for a legacy the union described as “historic and transformative.”
In its citation, the NUJ said Ugwuanyi earned the honour through his distinguished record of service, unparalleled support for the media, and sustained commitment to strengthening journalism in Enugu State.
According to the union, Ugwuanyi’s administration made the highest financial investment in the history of the NUJ in Enugu.
This investment the NUJ said enabled the extensive renovation and modernization of the NUJ Press Centre in Enugu—an upgrade widely acknowledged as a landmark achievement that changed the face of the union’s infrastructure.
Beyond the capital city, Ugwuanyi also expanded media facilities to other parts of the state by building a brand-new Press Centre in Nsukka, giving journalists in the zone a modern, functional, and dignified environment for their work.
The project, the union noted, reflected his commitment to decentralizing media infrastructure and promoting inclusive development.
The former governor was equally celebrated for prioritizing the welfare and professional development of journalists.
During his tenure, the Union claimed numerous media practitioners benefited from government-sponsored capacity-building programmes, training workshops, and international professional exchange opportunities, while others were sponsored on pilgrimages to the Holy Land—an initiative aimed at promoting their spiritual and personal well-being alongside their professional growth.
The NUJ further commended Ugwuanyi’s humility, accessibility, and consistent respect for journalists, describing him as a leader who viewed the media as partners in governance and essential to public enlightenment.
His relationship with the press, the union said, was marked by trust, cooperation, and mutual respect.
“For these exceptional contributions—historic infrastructural support, unwavering commitment to press freedom and welfare, and a legacy of empowerment that continues to uplift the journalism community—the Enugu State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists proudly inducts Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi into its Hall of Fame this 4th day of December 2025,” the citation read.
Ugwuanyi’s induction was one of the high points of this year’s NUJ Press Week, celebrating individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced journalism and media practice in Enugu State.
Ugwuanyi, an ambassadorial nominee who was represented at the event by a public affairs analyst, Ambrose Igboke is pioneering the NUJ Hail of Fame initiative.
