The Nigeria Union of Journalists Enugu State Council has conferred the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, with NUJ Icon of Democracy Award.
The award was conferred on Nnaji at his Akpugo country home over the weekend as part of the 2024 Press Week which took place between December 1 to 6, 2024.
FirstNews recalls that the Minister was billed to receive the said award during the just concluded 2024 NUJ Enugu State Council Press Week, but could not make it to the event due to his pressing official engagements.
The NUJ in it’s wisdom aimed at encouraging Nigerians to do more in serving humanity and sustaining democratic governance in the country, honoured the Honourable Minister’s request to have the Award conferred on him at his Akpugo country home in Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State.
According to Sam Udekwe, NUJ Enugu State Council Chairman, Uche Nnaji was found worthy of the said award due to his contributions in fighting for the return of democracy which led him to prison in the General Sani Abacha’s government, and his commitment to sustenance of democracy in Nigeria since 1999.
While noting that Nnaji is not only a builder of democracy, Udekwe maintained that Nnaji is sustainer of democracy having paid the supreme prize to keep democrat governance in the country.
Udekwe who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Mr Regis Anukwuoji said, “as a mirror of the society, our job is not only to criticize bad governance or negative trend, but to encourage those who have distinguished themselves for the good of the society.
“Since his appointment as a Minister, Nnaji has in so many ways ensured that he used his ministry to provide democratic dividends to the people by initiating programmes and policies that is currently leading to the revitalization of the 17 agencies under his purview.
“So, this award is aimed at encouraging you to do more for the good of the nation and humanity. Please sir, be rest assured that we the Nigeria Union of Journalists Enugu State Council, holds you in high esteem and encourage you to ride on with your contributions to the growth of democracy for the development of our dear country,”.
Responding to the said award conferred on him, Nnaji said that the award would spur him to greater contributions to the growth of democracy and development of Enugu state and Nigeria in general.
The Minister who said that he used to shy away from public glare but quietly contributing his quota to the development of the society, assured that the recognition was a tonic to spur him for more action.
Nnaji however, expressed regrets that a multi billion Naira methanol plant which he attracted to Enugu state and currently under construction was being obstructed by the state government for no just cause.
He said that his expectations were that the state government would appreciate and support whatever federal government investments being sited in the state like other states, rather than sabotaging such projects against the interest of the people and development of the state.
“I’m overwhelmed by this honour you bestowed on me. This will serve as a tonic to embolden me to talk and do more for the people of Enugu state and Nigeria in general.
“But I want members of the press to take special interest in what is happening in the state. I was in shock when the state government invaded the site of multi-billion methanol plant under construction, just a distance away from here, and arrested workers on site including expatriates. It took the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police to get those workers released from detention at Enugu Police command.
“Many governors lobby for such projects to be brought to their states and usually excited to support and facilitate same, but in Enugu, it’s a different story. Very unfortunate.”
Chief Nnaji condemned over taxation of citizens of Enugu state stressing that the State should devise another means of increasing the internally Generated Revenue.
Also speaking, the Deputy National Chairman, South, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emma Eneukwu, hailed the achievements of the Minister since his assumption of office.
He described Nnaji’s award by the NUJ as an honour well deserved, saying that the minister was someone, who do more and talk less.
According to him, an honour given to the minister is an honour given to all in the APC family in Enugu State.
“Before he came in, Science and Technology was regarded as a dead ministry but today he has brought lots of innovations to the ministry, such that, it has become the envy of if everyone, ” Eneukwu said.
He said that the minister had been able to re-jig the ministry to the admiration of all the stakeholders.
Former National Vice President of NUJ, South East Zone, Comrade Kenneth Ofoma, while speaking, said the council decided to give award to Nnaji having recognised his years of sacrifice for the sustenance of democracy.
Ofoma, who is also a chieftain of the APC, said the award was a sign of the party’s gradual acceptance in the state.
FirstNews reports that other APC chieftains present at the event includes, 2023 APC deputy Governorship candidate, Chief George Ogara, APC Enugu State Chairman, Hon. Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, the pro-chancellors of Federal University of Agricultural, Umudike, Abia State, and that of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Comrade Fidelis Edeh and Dr. Anthony Neboh, respectively.
