Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Ikengaonline townhall meeting will now hold tomorrow, Thursday July 26, 2024, by 7 am West African (Nigerian) time. The monthly virtual engagement was initially slated for today (Thursday) July 25.
The shift according to the Management of the South-East flagship online Newspaper, was due to some unforeseen circumstances.
Veteran Journalist, media mogul and former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Chris Anyanwu, remains the Guest Speaker at the explosive monthly interaction that draws audience from across the globe.
The former Commissioner for Information, Imo State, will speak on the topic, The Media, Civil Society, Politics and their Effect on Good Governance in the South-East.
This is contained in a statement by the Editor in Chief of the South-East-focused accountability and good governance online Newspaper, Uche Ugboajah.
The monthly meeting scheduled for 7:00 pm (WAT), will be co-anchored by US-based prolific writer and medical doctor, Osmund Agbo; and veteran Journalist and Author, Dr Chido Onumah.
Participants according to the statement, are to join the virtual zoom meeting via: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83358413284?pwd=JIh2uQaJeAjaS6jHsPObwnNMZMcSEe.1
The Meeting ID is: 833 5841 3284; while the Passcode is: 847824.
According to the statement, the virtual meeting will be transmitted live via Omalicha 91.1 FM Owerri; Unizik 94.1 FM, Awka; Ikengaonline Facebook; YouTube and other social media platforms.
Senator Anyanwu who represented Imo East district from 2007 to 2011, is the
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Spectrum Broadcasting Company Nigeria Ltd, owners of HOTFM Abuja, HOTFM Lagos, HOTFM Owerri and HOTFM Asaba.
A trailblazer, Senator Chris Anyanwu by her brilliant experience and career trajectory in journalism opened the door for many other women to pursue a career in the Nigerian media ecosystem.
The veteran broadcaster who conceptualised, anchored and produced News Line TV Magazine of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, was the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, The Sunday Magazine, TSM News Magazine, the first hard news publication by a woman in Nigeria (1999-2006).
The Florida State University, Tallahassee Master’s of Journalism graduate, had before joining politics, reported for Radio Tallahassee, Florida; and the NTA where she distinguished herself at various beats including the political desk, the diplomatic corps and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.
It is therefore expected that this Senator Chris Anyanwu will bring her wealth of experience garnered over the years in her peregrinations through the media, civil society and politics at the highest level to bear in the dissecting the topic of the townhall.
Accomplished South-East personalities in different fields, take the centre stage at Ikengaonline townhall meetings to address issues affecting the Igbo nation and Nigeria in general.
Multidisciplinary scholar and notable public affairs analyst, Professor Okey Ikechukwu, featured on the June edition of the townhall wherein he spoke on the topic, “The Performance of South-East Governors and Citizens’ Accountability Demands.”
The General Manager of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Amobi Ezeaku, had featured on the May edition and spoke on: “The Resurgence of Enugu Rangers and the Future of Football in the South-East.”
Former Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, who featured in the April edition spoke on “New Electricity Tariffs and the Power Crisis in Nigeria.”
Similarly, former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Information Communication Technology, ICT, Godwin Nwobodo, featured in the March edition, and spoke on: “Is State Police the Panacea to Insecurity in the South-East?”
National President of Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, who was the guest in the February edition, handled: “Saving Igbo Language from Extinction: What Must Be Done.”
Ikengaonline monthly townhall meetings are meant to discuss topical issues affecting the South-East zone of Nigeria in particular, and the Nigeria state in general.
Two Disability Rights Activists and Motivational Speakers, David Anyaele, of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD); and Chidinma Ajemba of JONAPWD, Anambra State chapter, featured on the November 2023 edition.
That special edition focused on the plight of Persons With Disabilities, PWDs in the South-East geo-political zone.
Similarly, Nollywood megastar, Anayo Onyekwere, popularly known as Kanayo O Kanayo (KOK), featured on the October edition.
The iconic actor spoke on the topic, “Rituals, Riches, and Realities: The Myths of Money-Making and the Dignity of Labour.”
Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking In Persons, Professor Joy Ezeilo, was the guest during September edition.
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, featured in the August 2023 edition and spoke on “A New Era for Ohanaeze: Navigating Challenges Embracing Potentials.”
Several other distinguished Igbo personalities had also featured in previous editions.
Former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, featured in the July 2023 edition wherein he spoke on the topic, “South-East Insecurity Nexus: A Holistic View.”
Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies and Founder of Gregory University Uturu, GUU, Professor Greg Ibe, featured in the June edition wherein he handled entrepreneurship challenges in the South-East.
The Chairman, World Igbo Congress (WIC), Professor Anthony Ejiofor, was on the hot seat in the May edition where he spoke on, “Insecurity in the South-East: The Role of Nigeria Diaspora.”
Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, was the guest on the April edition wherein he handled: “Improving Regional Economy in the Homeland.”
World famous Economist and Nigeria’s two-time Minister for Finance, Kalu Idika Kalu, featured in the March edition and did justice to the topic, “Nigeria’s incoming Government: Prospects & Challenges.”
Former Education Minister, and the current Chairman, Board of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, was the guest speaker of the February 2023 edition wherein she spoke on “Women in Politics, East of the Niger.”
Other eminent Igbo personalities had equally featured in the monthly event since its debut in 2022.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, was the guest speaker in the maiden edition on July 2022; while the second edition featured a renowned Political Economist, Professor Pat Okedinachi Utomi, in August.
Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; US-based academic, Professor Okey Ndibe; West African Regional Director, Ford Foundation, Dr Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye; as well as multi-award-winning actress and Director of Communications, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Monalisa Chinda Coker, have all featured at different editions of the explosive 90 minutes show.
Ikengaonline is a South-East-focused online media outfit which aims at giving voice to citizens of the South-East, parts of Rivers and Delta States, and highlights the challenges facing the region.
It is a publication of Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI), a non-profit entity that seeks to promote positive socio-cultural values, accountability and good governance through media and public education.
Ikengaonline townhall meeting is part of the Collaborative Media Engagement (C-Media) for Development Inclusivity and Accountability Project, a multi-level intervention for media independence and government accountability, managed by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
