NUJ Anambra Honours Ichie Akubudike as 2026 Man of the Year
By Ebuka Oguocha
High Chief Martin Nwabueze, popularly known as Ichie Akubudike, has emerged as the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Man of the Year.
Nwabueze, Chairman and Founder of the Ichie Akubudike Foundation, hails from Umudioka in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He succeeds the Anambra State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, who received the NUJ Anambra Man of the Year award in 2025.
The announcement was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the NUJ, Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD; the Council Secretary, Comrade Okechukwu Onuegbu, PhD; and the Chairman of the 2026 Man of the Year Awards and Coral Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee, Comrade Ekpone Francis Emeka.
According to the statement, the grand finale of the 2026 NUJ Man of the Year Awards and 35th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled for September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Anabelle Event Centre, Awka.
The event is part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the NUJ Anambra State Council, celebrating three and a half decades of journalism, professional service, resilience and institutional development.
The anniversary has as its theme: “NUJ Anambra, 35 Years On: Reporting with Truth, Responsibility and Service.”
The statement said the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo; his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice O. M. Anyachebelu; National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya; national and zonal officers of the union, as well as journalists and other distinguished guests, are expected at the ceremony.
Why Ichie Akubudike was honoured
The 2026 NUJ Man of the Year is a distinguished entrepreneur, philanthropist, traditional leader, sports enthusiast and community development advocate whose activities span business, construction and the oil and gas sector.
He is also known by the traditional titles Agubuzo na Dunukofia and Ozoma Ndi Ichie, and is a respected member of the Igwe’s Cabinet in Dunukofia Kingdom.
Nwabueze has, over the years, built a reputation for philanthropy, youth empowerment, business development and community service, with several interventions targeted at improving the welfare and livelihoods of vulnerable members of society.
Through the Ichie Akubudike Foundation, he has supported free medical outreaches, settlement of hospital bills for indigent patients, distribution of food items and financial assistance to vulnerable households, vocational training, mentorship and employment opportunities for youths.
He has equally supported women empowerment programmes, including the Nkwado Afia Table Project, undertaken in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Nonye Soludo.
His commitment to sports development is also evident in his sponsorship of the Akubudike Anambra State Football League, which entered its second year in 2026. The 2026 edition was officially flagged off on Sunday, August 30, at the Awka City Stadium.
Joining league of distinguished awardees
The NUJ Anambra Man of the Year award has, in recent years, honoured prominent individuals who have distinguished themselves through integrity, philanthropy, leadership and service to humanity.
Among previous recipients are Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, MD/CEO of Zenith Bank, who was honoured in 2022; HRM Igwe Pharm. Alex Onyido Ezechuamagha of Ogidi, Traditional Ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, who received the honour in 2023; and Dr. Chinedu Umeadi, Agunechemba Abagana, Founder of the Chinedu Umeadi Foundation, who was honoured in 2024.
The 2025 award went to Arc. Okey Ezeobi, Anambra State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.
The succession of distinguished recipients, according to observers, underscores the growing stature and credibility of the NUJ Anambra Man of the Year Award.
The 2026 honour is therefore expected to further spotlight Nwabueze’s contributions to entrepreneurship, philanthropy, youth development, community service and human capital development, as the NUJ Anambra State Council celebrates 35 years of professional journalism and institutional growth.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
