This year’s edition of the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Week begins today with a thanksgiving church service at Holy Ghost Day Bible Church, Amuzukwu- Ibeku, Umuahia.

A statement jointly endorsed by the Chairman, 2012 Abia State NUJ  Press Week Organising Committee, Comrade Sunny Ogele (JP), and the Secretary, Mrs. Tina Ikwegbu, stated that the week-long event would feature a lecture, facility tour; honouring of some distinguished personalities and a visit to charity homes.

According to the statement, a copy of which was made available to News Express, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, will on Tuesday deliver a thought-provoking lecture entitled “Legislature – Press Relationship In A Democracy, An Appraisal,” at Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre, Umuahia, by 10:00 a.m.

The next day, journalists in the state would embark on a facility tour of some legacy projects of the state government as well as the ultra-modern petrochemical industry being built at Onuaku Uturu by the Masters Energy Group.

According to the Organising Committee, the grand finale comes up at the Michael Okpara Auditorium on Thursday, where five distinguished Nigerians would be conferred with Award of Excellence for their inestimable and selfless contributions to nation building.

The awardees include Engr. (Chief) Chinedu Orji (Ikuku Oma Abia), founder of Ochendo Youth Foundation; Mr. Uchechukwu Ogah (OON), Chief Executive Officer of Masters Energy; and Dr. Chinenye  Amanamba, Medical Director of  Ezeugo  Medical Hospital, Umuahia. The rest are Miss Chidinma Enyinnaya, a journalist, and Mr. Linus Ejionye (a.k.a Alhaji), a veteran newspaper vendor.

The week would be wrapped up with a visit to charity homes Friday.

Chairman of Abia Council of NUJ, Comrade Hyacinth Okoli, said the Council was looking forward to a memorable Press Week.

*Photo: Comrade Hyacinth Okoli, Chairman of Abia Council of NUJ.