The Editor of STATESMAN Newspaper, Mr. Chris Añucha, has emerged winner of Governor Uzodimma Media Excellence Award, as the Best Investigative Journalist of the Year.
This was announced by the chairman of the Committee on “the second edition of Governor Hope Uzodimma Media Excellence Award, Chief (Dr)Fidel Onyeneke, while submitting their Report to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba.
Others who emerged winners from the contest include; Reginald Mbajunwa of Imo Broadcasting Cooperation (IBC) Owerri, who won the Best Documentary Television Journalist of the Year, Faith Igwilo of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), as the Most Outstanding State Correspondent, Ngozi Ejimadu of IBC, as the Best Documentary Radio Journalist, Adaeze Opara Anyanwu of Ozisa FM, as the Most Outstanding Igbo Radio Presenter, Mary Omeni Nwode of My Radio FM, as the Most Outstanding English Presenter, Akunna Azuike of IBC, as the Most Outstanding TV Presenter, Chigozie Emerenini of IBC Owerri, as the Most Creative Camera TV and Cosmas Chukwuemeka of Darling FM as, The Best Sports Reporter.
According to Chief Fidel Onyeneke, the winners emerged, based on professionalism and what they saw on ground, as no Government official in any way tried to influence members of the committee.
“We never had anyone telling us to show particular interest to this or that person, we were given a free hand,” Chief Onyeneke stated. He thanked the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Commissioner Emelumba for giving the Committee free hand to discharge its duty professionally.
Rceiving the Report, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, commended the Committee for doing a good job, noting that the criteria used in the assessment and grading of the winners are verifiable.
He observed that a situation, whereby every member of the Committee scored all the Entries and an average was taken at the end to arrive at the winners is a rigorous process, pointing out that the competition is Governor Hope Uzodimma’s one way of appreciating Journalists and the Journalism Profession.
The Commissioner reiterated Governor Uzodimma’s determination in promoting Media Excellence.
This is not his first time of winning award in the course of his journalism career. As the South South Bureau Chief of THE SUN Newspaper, the South South Bureau under his leadership won an award, as the MOST IMPROVED BUREAU of the year, 2012. Within one of assuming duty as the Editor of STATESMAN, the Newspaper received as an award from the Imo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as the MOST TOURISM-FRIENDLY MEDIA.
Chris Anucha started his journalism career in the old DAILY TIMES(SUNDAY TIMES) in 1993. He also worked as a reporter in Newspapers like; THE MAIL, THE POST EXPRESS, THISDAY from where he became a pioneer staff of THE SUN NEWSPAPER in 2003. While in THE SUN, he rose through the ranks of Chief Correspondent, Assistant News Editor, Crime Editor and later, South South Bureau Chief.
In March 1, 2021, Chris Anucha was appointed Editor, THE STATESMAN.
The multiple-award winner, has MA in Communications, from the University of Port Harcourt, BSC, Mass Communications, from Lagos State University, HND, Book Publishing, from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Diploma from Nigeria Institute of Journalism(NIJ), Lagos, Diploma in Law, from University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He is happily married to his wife, Stella and they have three lovely children, two boys and a girl.
