Adieu Ndagene Akwu

The sudden death of the immediate
past National President of the
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Ndagene Akwu, has indeed, taken the Nigerian media by storm. He died on Friday June 20, 2014 at the age of 55 without any known health challenge.
This is another death of a media practitioner in recent time that evokes a sense of monumental loss to the journalism profession in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Like the others, he died in the prime of his life. At a time his experience and immense contacts are most needed.
Born April 1, 1959, at Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ndagene was the first Rivers son to head the prestigious and very influential Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the national level, a position he held between 2006-2009.
He was instrumental to the establishment of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) in 2007 which had 38 African Countries represented. Ndagene had represented the media at very high levels nationally and internationally. He was, no doubt, a journalist that had left very commendable track record.
A product of Government Secondary School, Ogbakiri, and a holder of Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Literature (English), and English and Literacy Studies from the University of Port Harcourt and University of Calabar respectively, Ndagene began major union politics as Chairman of the Rivers State Television (RSTV) Chapel of the NUJ.
He later became Chairman of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. At the State level, Ndagene exhibited exemplary leadership and stabilised the activities of the professional body, such that brought respect to the average journalist.
His achievements at the State level endeared him to members across the southern part of Nigeria and was elected as National Vice President, Zone F (South-South) from 2003-2006 and later, National President. His contribution to the building of a strong and efficient union in the Africa sub-region cannot be forgotten.
By the time he was elected President, Ndagene had become NUJ personified. He was a family man and was not spoilt by the trappings of his profession. He was humble, modest and moderate in all he did. He was a good man and a consummate professional.
The Tide mourns this great Rivers son and Nigerian. We join the media world to commiserate with the family of Ndagene Akwu. We also condole with his home chapel of the NUJ, RSTV over this sudden and heavy loss.
While it has been proven that journalism is about the most dangerous job on earth, Nigeria and indeed employers of journalists have failed to give the required honour, remuneration and safety plan for media workers. Unfortunately, the media has also been too shy to put up demands and to insist on terms that would make them work better, live longer and keep society in check.
For the umpteenth time, we think that Nigeria should take interest in the media as a veritable national organ that should not drift. Again, the need to insure all practicing journalists should no longer be ignored. Not because the nation is losing its opinion molders, but denying herself the leap only a living media can give.
Perhaps it should be stated that one of the pet projects of late Ndagene Akwu was an insurance scheme for journalists across Nigeria. Because Nigeria does not care, the NUJ at the National level started one, but the absence of employers in the scheme has become an issue. That his death was not in vain, let the insurance of journalists become a national emergency.