By Kelvin Obambon
Emmanuel Onwuka, publisher of Parallel News and winner of the prestigious ECOWAS Award for Media Excellence in the online journalism category, has paid tribute to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council for its unwavering support and guidance.
Receiving the award winning journalist at the NUJ secretariat in Calabar, on Monday, the Union Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, hailed Onwuka’s achievement as a “huge” milestone that has brought immense pride to journalists in Cross River.
“Thank you, Emmanuel, for making NUJ Cross River State Council proud. This is huge, and I want to encourage us to borrow a leaf from Emmanuel — take that step, take that risk. If it doesn’t work, at least you’ve tried, and it won’t hurt that you tried. You’ll never know what will come out of it,” Bassey said.
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She further congratulated Onwuka and prayed for increased opportunities for journalists in Cross River State to achieve new heights and replicate such landmark accomplishments.
Expressing his gratitude, Onwuka, who is also a Mandela Washington Fellow, acknowledged the critical role the NUJ Cross River State Council has played in shaping his career. He encouraged fellow journalists in the state to actively seek and use opportunities, emphasizing that Cross River is rich with untold stories yearning to be told.
“I want to thank the NUJ for leading me. I encourage my colleagues to look for and seize opportunities because our state is rich with stories that the world needs to hear,” Onwuka remarked.
Emmanuel Onwuka won the 1st position in the Online Journalism Category. The ECOWAS Media Excellence Award recognizes outstanding reporting that advances regional integration, peace, and development across West Africa, making Onwuka’s victory a significant achievement for both him and the Cross River journalism community.
