Ex-NUJ President, Ndagene Is Dead
Suleiman Bello
Former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ndagene Akwu, died on Friday at the age of 55 after a brief illness.
In a statement issued by the National Secretary of the NUJ, Shuaibu Leman, announcing the death of Mr Akwu, the union while commiserating with the family of the deceased said:
“We regret to announce the passing away of Ndagene Ndamefe Akwu, the President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 2006-2009. The sad event occurred on Friday, June 20, 2014 after a brief illness.
Some of Mr. Akwu’s remarkable achievements according to the statement include the 2007 inauguration of Federation of African Journalists, FAJ, in Abuja, and ensuring a smooth congress which left delegates from other thirty-eight countries praising Nigeria when he was the sitting President of NUJ.
The late journalist was born April 1, 1959 in Ogbakiri, Rivers State. He attended Government Secondary School, Ogbakiri, between 1973-1977 after which he proceeded to the University of Port-Harcourt where he obtained a Bachelors Degree Literature (English). He later moved on to University of Calabar where he bagged a Masters Degree in English and Literary Studies.
Late Akwu in his drive for further education and professionalism attended the NTA Television College, Jos, and Empire Journalism Centre, Port Harcourt.
He was Chairman, Rivers State Council of NUJ before becoming the President of the union. Mr. Ndagene served the union in various capacities. He was Chairman NUJ Rivers State Television Chapel, 1998-2002, and National Vice-President Zone F (South-South) from 2003 to 2006 and later National Chairman of NUJ between 2006 and 2009.
Mr. Akwu’s burial arrangements will be announced later by the family.
