NJF Convention: Omeh, Akubue, Asogwa,Asadu, Others Demand New Development Agenda For Nsukka
Former Commissioner in Enugu State and Vice-President of Nsukka General Assembly, Dr Matthias Omeh, has called for a new development consciousness among the people of Nsukka, urging political leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and the media to work together to unlock the zone’s enormous human and economic potentials.
Omeh, who chaired the occasion at the 2026 annual convention of the Nsukka Journalists Forum (NJF), spoke against the backdrop of a convention lecture by Professor Augustine Uchenna Akubue, which focused on the need for purposeful political leadership, strategic investment and media engagement in transforming Nsukka.
The convention, held Friday, October 2, in Nsukka, had as its theme: “Unlocking Nsukka’s Potentials: The Imperative of Political Leadership, Strategic Investment for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.”
In his remarks, Omeh commended the NJF for organising the convention, describing the theme as timely and relevant to the socio-economic challenges facing the people.
He said Nsukka could no longer afford to remain divided or dependent on political promises when it possessed abundant human resources, fertile land, educational institutions and a large consumer market.
“The time has come for Nsukka people to think beyond the conventional approach to development. We must come together, identify our potentials and deliberately convert them into opportunities for our people,” Omeh said.
The former commissioner stressed that political leadership should be measured by its impact on the lives of the people rather than by titles, ceremonies or political influence.
“Leadership must be about what we are able to achieve for our people. The question should not simply be who occupies an office, but what that office has done to improve the lives of our people,” he said.
Omeh urged the media, political leaders, professionals and business community to collaborate in creating a development agenda capable of addressing unemployment, infrastructure deficits, agricultural underdevelopment and youth migration.
He further called for unity among the local government areas that make up the Nsukka cultural zone, saying that collective strength remained essential to attracting meaningful investments and development.
“Nsukka is one. Our strength lies in our ability to speak with one voice, work together and pursue development that benefits every part of the cultural zone,” he added.
Akubue: Nsukka has resources but lacks strategic leadership
Prof. Akubue delivering the Convention Lecture
Earlier, the guest lecturer, Prof. Augustine Akubue, lamented that Nsukka remained poor despite its enormous human, agricultural and intellectual resources.
He acknowledged the varied potentials available in various local government areas of the zone with their comparative advantage, noting that the area had a population approaching two million.
Akubue said the presence of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, vast agricultural land and a large youthful population provided the foundation for economic transformation.
According to him, however, the zone has failed to translate its resources into jobs, industries and sustainable wealth.
“Nsukka has the potentials but we have not unleashed it. We have refused to become what we ought to be. This is a debt we owe our children,” he said.
He particularly advocated stronger collaboration between UNN and the private sector to convert research, innovation and human capital into commercial enterprises.
He called for agro-processing clusters, storage facilities, cold-chain infrastructure and value-addition centres for the zone’s yam, cassava, rice, cashew and pepper production.
Akubue also urged political leaders to provide strategic investment rather than scattering small projects without sustainable economic impact.
He proposed enterprise financing for young people, stronger diaspora investment and a closer relationship between the university, industries and local communities.
Asogwa seeks stronger media-politician partnership
Senator Ikeje Asogwa, representing Enugu North Senatorial District and Special Guest of Honour, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Oscar Ayogu, commended NJF for providing a platform for discussing the development challenges of Nsukka.
Asogwa, through his representative, called for stronger collaboration between political leaders and the media.
“The media and journalists have a very important role to play in our contemporary society. We must speak for ourselves as Nsukka people and tell the world who we are. Nobody can tell our story better than us,” he said.
He assured the forum that the issues raised at the convention would be looked into, particularly those concerning youth employment, infrastructure and economic development, the aspects he said had priority focus on.
Asadu, Anigbo, Odo canvass development
Former member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency and NDC senatorial candidate for Enugu North, Dr Patrick Asadu, who was represented at the event, commended NJF for its development-oriented initiative.
He said sustainable development in Nsukka required investment in human capital, agriculture, enterprise and infrastructure, urging stakeholders to move beyond political rhetoric to measurable action.
The Head of Service, Enugu State, Dr Godwin Anigbo, represented by the Permanent Secretary in charge of General Administration in his office, Dr Ogbonna Idike, congratulated NJF for sustaining the convention.
Idike said the state public service remained committed to professionalism and effective implementation of policies aimed at improving the welfare of citizens.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Tourism, Chief Steve Odo, highlighted the economic opportunities in tourism and cultural development.
Odo said Nsukka’s rich cultural heritage, historical sites and natural attractions could be developed into viable economic assets capable of creating jobs and attracting investment.
Ezugwu: NJF will remain voice of the people
The NJF Chairman, Mr Benson Whyte Ezugwu, said the forum would continue to use journalism to promote development, accountability and unity in Nsukka Cultural Zone.
Ezugwu said the annual convention was designed not merely as a gathering of journalists but as a platform for stakeholders to examine the challenges facing the people and proffer practical solutions.
A cross Section of NJF members at the event
“NJF is the Conscience of the People, and we must continue to live up to that responsibility. We cannot afford to remain silent when issues affecting the development and welfare of our people demand attention,” he said.
He thanked the dignitaries, guest lecturer, speakers and members of the forum for their contributions to the convention.
NJF honours Agbo, Asadu, Hart, Ezugwu, others
The convention also featured the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities for outstanding contributions to public service, peace, leadership, humanitarian service and community development.
Rt Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo received the “Hero of Peace” award in recognition of his efforts in restoring peace to Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency.
Dr Patrick Oziokoja Asadu was honoured with the “Legislative Excellence” award for his outstanding performance in the Green Chamber between 2007 and 2023.
Sir Engr Prince-Henry Hart Ucheonwu, an APC chieftain and oil-sector expert, received the “NJF Icon of Excellence and Humanitarian Service” award for his selfless service to his community and humanity.
The forum also honoured Barr Chijioke Joseph Ezugwu, Chairman of Uzo-Uwani LGA, with the “Excellence in Peace, Security, and Community Development” award for his performance in office.
Mr Kenneth Ugwu, Commander, Enugu State Traffic Management Agency, received the “Traffic Innovator Par Excellence” award in recognition of his innovative traffic reform policy in the state.
Similarly, Dr Gerald Abonyi, a legal luminary, was presented with the “Pro Bono Veritas” award for defending truth for the public good without seeking payment or personal gain.
The convention ended with renewed calls for purposeful leadership, productive investment, youth empowerment and responsible journalism as essential ingredients for unlocking Nsukka’s development potential.
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
