Panegyrics, As Consummate Journalist, Emeka Odogwu Marks Birthday

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Birthday, Amin Kalantri said, is a reminder to celebrate life as well as to update the life.

It is in line with this age-long dictum that a consummate journalist, Odogwu Christian Chukwuemeka Nwannedimma, popularly known as Odogwu Emeka Odogwu excelled unto his 45th rung in the ladder of years.

Born on a special day like this (28th March) in the year 1977 in Umuogowa Umudiaba-Amagu Village, Amanuke, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State; the young Odogwu would eventually grow to become the number-one journalist in Anambra State barely 45 years after.

In 1984, he was enrolled into attended Community Primary School, Amanuke, where he studied till 1986. He was also a pupil of New Layout Primary School II, Abakaliki from 1987 to 1989; from where he graduated into Urban Secondary School, Abakaliki in 1990, left two years after (in1992), and competed his secondary school at Comprehensive Secondary School, Nawfia, from 1993 to 1995.

Shortly after that, he started a Preliminary Programme at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Ufuma Campus in 1997.

Academically, Odogwu obtained Preliminary Programme Certificate in 1997; National Diploma in Mass Communication, 1999; Certificate in French Language, 2000; Certificate in Desktop Publishing Computer 2004; HND in Mass Communication, 2002; PGD in Mass Communication, 2006; PGD in Education, NTI in 2007; Certificate Computer 2008; M.Sc. Mass Communication May, 2014; and PhD in Mass Communication (Print Media) in July, 2019.

Odogwo joined journalism over 23 years ago, and has made his mark in the field, to the extent of becoming the number-one journalist in the state, following his election as the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Anambra Chapter in January 2022.

It was not by accident that he built a wide galaxy of network, contact and relationship with both top, average and low personalities, such that his wedding ceremony with his pulchritudinous wife, was chaired by the then executive governor of Anambra, Mr. Peter Obi.

Odogwu has worked with various media houses and platforms in different capacities.

Some of the places he has worked, the year and the positions he held include: News Correspondent, Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS Awka (Industrial Attachment), 1999; Editor, Polywall Weekly Newspaper (HND Project Work) 1999; Editor, The Light Newspaper, Chapel of Light, Anglican Church, Federal Polytechnic, Oko 1999; Freelance/ Correspondent, ABS, Awka, 2000; Reporter, Newsgate Magazine, Anambra State, 2002; Apprentice Photographer, Riches Photos Oko 2002-2003; Acting Public Relations Officer (PRO), Anglican Diocese of Dutse, Jigawa State, 2003; Chairman Editorial Board/Editor, The Rock Newspaper Diocese of Dutse, Jigawa State, 2003; Editor, FAWEN News Magazine, Nigeria (South-East Zone).

Others include: Editor-in-Chief Forum for African Women Educationalists Nigeria (FAWEN), 2004; Senior Reporter, National Link Newspaper, Nnewi 2000-2004; Awka Correspondent, Champion Newspapers Limited, Lagos 2005-2008; Anambra State Correspondent, Champion Newspapers Limited, Lagos 2008-2012; Correspondent, The Nation Newspapers, Nnewi/Onitsha Anambra State 2012-2014; Blogger @www.odogwublog.comsince Dec. 2013; Anambra State Correspondent, Nigerian Pilot/News world Magazine Feb. 2015; Awka Correspondent, Authority Newspaper, Abuja, October 2015-2016; Ag. Editor, South East, The Authority Newspaper, March 2016; Editor, South East, Special Projects, Vanguard Newspapers, Lagos, May 2018; Regional Editor, South-East, The Leadership Newspapers Abuja, February 2018; Editor, South East, The Authority Newspaper, Abuja, March 2018; Editor, South-East/South-South Oracle Today Newspaper, Onitsha January, 2019.

In addition to these, Odogwu, who is a published author of two books ‘My Father, My Hero’ and ‘Dangerous Adventure’, is also a lecturer at the Mass Communication Department of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and had previously taught at Community Secondary School, Mgbakwu, Awka-North in 2004 and taught French Language at Jesus Never Fails Nursery/Primary School, Awka from 1999 to 2002.

He has received a plethora of awards, honours and recognition, and has over five thousands online-published articles to his credit, with many other research works published in reputable journals across the globe.

Emeka Odogwu is both a daring and endearing journalist who believes in using journalism to speak the truth, impact lives, and correct societal ills.

Odogwu, who is always identified with pens of different colours stuck to his chest pocket, coincidentally shares same birthday with another great icon in the field of pen, Chimamanda Adichie.

A very sociable, humble and hardworking fellow, he has also coached and brushed up many aspiring, young and upcoming journalists, and still stands as mentor and role model to many till date.

Today, nature and creatures of the earth fete and smile for his fecund and impactful life as he turns a year older.

On that note and in the spirit of felicity, I say Happy Birthday to you, my dear friend and professional colleague. Your are indeed a blessing to your generation.

And may the good Lord continue to bless, grant your heart desires, and give you the grace to live more positive and impactful life, as you turned a year older today.

Happy birthday to you once again, the great Odogwu Odogwu.

Odogwu abụrọ Guy Name, nwanne.

Ya gaziere gị...

Izunna Okafor