Bishop Onah Urges journalists to Reshape Nsukka’s Image Through Responsible Reporting
By Uche Eze, Nsukka
The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, has called on journalists of Nsukka extraction to embrace credible, objective and development-oriented journalism capable of positively redefining the image of Nsukka cultural zone.
Bishop Onah made the call during an interactive session with journalists held at the Catholic Secretariat, Nsukka, at the weekend, where he challenged media practitioners to promote narratives that reflect the true identity, values and potential of the people.
He urged journalists to rise above sensationalism, stereotypes and divisive narratives by championing balanced reportage that fosters unity, attracts development and restores pride among the people of the area.
According to the cleric, journalists from Nsukka have a responsibility to tell the story of the area from the standpoint of truth, intellect and cultural confidence.
A cross section of Journalists of Nsukka extraction with Bishop Onah
He lamented what he described as a long-standing trend in which outsiders define and, at times, demean the image of Nsukka people, insisting that media professionals have a critical role to play in defending the integrity and reputation of their homeland through factual and constructive reporting.
“It has been my desire to invite you, journalists of Nsukka extraction, but other interwoven factors could not permit it as earlier planned,” the Bishop said.
“I know that there is no area of human engagement or profession in this country where you will not find highly quality Nsukka people, yet many of them are hardly celebrated. In Enugu State, though I have not taken a census, I have heard that Nsukka has the highest number of journalists.
“I have therefore chosen to invite you this day of the Lord, May 23, 2026, for us to see one another, know one another and interact as brothers and sisters with a view to working in synergy to change the Nsukka narrative.”
Reflecting on his emergence as Bishop in 2013, Onah said he deliberately set out to reverse negative perceptions about Nsukka people and restore dignity to the identity of “Nwa Nsukka.”
“When I became a Bishop in 2013, I made a deliberate choice to change the narrative about Nsukka. I made it public from day one that from then onwards, anyone called Nwa Nsukka should associate it with pride and joy because it is not an insult; it is an elevation of the person and a name to be proud of,” he stated.
He added: “When I said this, I did not know exactly how it was going to happen, but with God’s presence and direction, it happened. Today, Nsukka rings like a bell in different parts of Nigeria and the world.”
The Bishop further described Nsukka people as enterprising, resilient and committed to attaining greatness through honest means of livelihood, stressing that the area possesses enormous human capital capable of driving social and economic transformation.
“I was always confident that Nsukka has a mission in Igboland, in Nigeria and in other parts of the world. Nsukka people are enterprising and have an alternative route to greatness, and that is working toward greatness through decent and honest means of livelihood,” he said.
“We can, and we should, tell our own story differently — a story that is development-driven and focused on the achievements and positive contributions of our people to society.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Emmanuel Asadu, said the gathering was aimed at fostering stronger relationships and collaboration with journalists of Nsukka extraction for the advancement of the area.
According to him, the interactive session provided an avenue for dialogue with the Bishop on issues relating to the development and image of Nsukka land.
“Religion and journalism are two noble areas that converge at a sacred point — the pursuit and proclamation of truth. While the Church proclaims the truth that liberates and saves, journalism uncovers and communicates the truth that enlightens and empowers society,” he said.
In a vote of thanks, Chairman of the Nsukka Journalists Forum, Benson Whyte Ezugwu, commended Bishop Onah for convening what he described as a rare and thoughtful gathering designed to promote unity and progress among journalists of Nsukka origin.
Ezugwu noted that the Bishop’s invitation was devoid of political undertones, describing it as a sincere effort to interact with media professionals from the area and inspire collective responsibility toward rebuilding the image of Nsukka.
He assured the Bishop of the readiness of journalists from the area to partner with him in promoting truthful, objective and development-focused reportage capable of positively repositioning Nsukka before the wider public.
The NJF chairman also disclosed that the forum was working toward establishing a robust media platform through which activities of government institutions, communities and individuals in the area would be adequately documented and made accessible to the public.
He appealed to the Bishop to sustain the engagement by making the interaction a regular platform for dialogue and collaboration.
The event attracted journalists of Nsukka extraction from broadcast, print and online media organisations, with participants making contributions on how the media could be effectively deployed to project the rich cultural heritage, intellectual strength and development potential of Nsukka cultural zone.
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
