By Izunna Okafor, Awka
High Chief Martin Nwabueze, popularly known as Ichie Akubudike, has emerged as the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Man of the Year.
Nwabueze, who hails from Umudioka in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, is the Chairman and Founder of Ichie Akubudike Foundation.
With his emergence as the 2026 Anambra NUJ Man of the Year, he will succeed Arc. Okey Ezeobi, former MD/CEO of Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement and now Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, who received the prestigious award in 2025.
Ichie Akubudike’s emergence was announced in a statement jointly signed by the NUJ Anambra State Council Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD; the Council Secretary, Comrade Okechukwu Onuegbu, PhD; and the Chairman of the 2026 Man of the Year Awards and Coral Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee, Comrade Ekpone Francis Emeka.
The statement further announced that the grand finale of the 2026 NUJ Man of the Year Awards and Coral Anniversary Celebration would hold on September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Anabel Event Centre, Awka.
According to the organizers, the ceremony is part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the NUJ Anambra State Council, representing 35 years of journalism, professional service, resilience and contributions to the development of the state and society.
The organizers further announced the anniversary’s theme as “NUJ Anambra, 35 Years On: Reporting with Truth, Responsibility and Service,” adding that theme reflects the Union’s continued emphasis on responsible journalism, professionalism and service to the public.
The 2026 event is expected to attract prominent personalities, including the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo; his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice O. M. Anyachebelu; National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya; national and zonal officials of the union, journalists and other invited guests.
Nwabueze’s selection for the prestigious honour comes against the backdrop of his activities in entrepreneurship, philanthropy, youth empowerment, community development, sports and other areas of human capital development.
Known by his traditional titles, including Ichie Akubudike, Agubuzo na Dunukofia and Ozoma Ndi Ichie, he is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, traditional leader, sports enthusiast and community development advocate whose activities have earned him recognition within and beyond Anambra State.
Through the Ichie Akubudike Foundation, he has supported several humanitarian interventions, including free medical outreaches, assistance with hospital bills for indigent patients, distribution of food and financial support to vulnerable families, as well as vocational training, mentorship and employment opportunities for young people.
His interventions have also extended to women empowerment, including support for the Nkwado Afia Table Project, undertaken in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Nonye Soludo.
In sports, Nwabueze has emerged as a notable supporter of grassroots football development in the state. He is currently sponsoring the Akubudike Anambra State Football League, which entered its second edition this year. The 2026 edition was officially flagged off on Sunday, August 30, at the Awka City Stadium.
Beyond his philanthropic activities, the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year is also involved in business, construction and the oil and gas sector, where he has built a reputation as an indigenous entrepreneur.
As a traditional title holder and member of the Igwe’s Cabinet in Dunukofia Kingdom, Nwabueze has equally been associated with initiatives promoting peace, cultural values, community advancement and socio-economic development.
His recognition by the NUJ therefore brings together several aspects of his public profile, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, youth development, sports and community service, which the union considers worthy of public recognition.
The NUJ Anambra Man of the Year Award has, over the years, become one of the Council’s notable platforms for recognising individuals who have distinguished themselves through integrity, philanthropy, leadership and contributions to society.
Among previous recipients are Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, MD/CEO of Zenith Bank, who was honoured in 2022; HRM Igwe Pharm. Alex Onyido Ezechuamagha of Ogidi, Traditional Ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, who received the honour in 2023; Dr. Chinedu Umeadi, founder of Chinedu Umeadi Foundation and Agunechemba of Abagana, who was honoured in 2024; and Arc. Okey Ezeobi, former MD/CEO of Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, now Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, who received the honour in 2025.
The succession of recipients, drawn from different fields of public service, traditional leadership, banking, philanthropy and government, points to the prestigious stature of the award and the Council’s effort to use it to celebrate individuals whose activities have made measurable impacts on society.
With the 2026 honour, High Chief Martin Nwabueze is expected to be formally celebrated alongside other distinguished award recipients at the September 10 ceremony, as the NUJ Anambra State Council reflects on its 35-year journey and renews its commitment to journalism anchored on truth, responsibility and service.
