A Titan of Truth: A Eulogy to Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

By O’star Eze,

 Editor-in-Chief, factreporters.com.ng  

In the annals of Nigerian journalism, few names shine as brightly as Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu’s—a man whose pen has carved pathways of truth, whose heart has lifted countless souls, and whose leadership has redefined what it means to serve the Fourth Estate. As the Publisher of Fact Reporters Media Ltd and Editor-in-Chief of

 factreporters.com.ng, I stand in awe of a colossus whose exploits in the media industry have not only shaped narratives but also nurtured a generation of storytellers, myself included. Today, March 28, 2025, as he turns 48, I pen this eulogy to celebrate a man whose generous spirit has earned him the rare honor of a two-term chairmanship of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council—a testament to his unwavering dedication and boundless compassion.

Dr. Odogwu’s journey in journalism, spanning nearly half a century of life, is a saga of grit, brilliance, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. A lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and a seasoned editor with The Authority Newspapers, he has worn many hats—each with distinction. His career is a tapestry woven with threads of investigative rigor and fearless commentary, a beacon for those of us who believe journalism is not just a profession but a calling. From exposing the rot in Anambra’s health centers—where humans shared spaces with snakes and rodents—to amplifying the voiceless, Dr. Odogwu has wielded his craft like a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through the noise to reveal the pulse of society. His work has earned him accolades, including the prestigious Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Prize for Ethical Journalism in 2023, a fitting crown for a man who, at 48, embodies integrity in its fullest bloom.

Yet, it is not merely his professional exploits that set him apart; it is his heart—a wellspring of generosity that flows freely, touching lives far beyond the newsroom. Dr. Odogwu’s rise to a two-term chairman of the NUJ Anambra State Council, first elected in 2022 and triumphantly re-elected in January 2025 with an overwhelming 173 votes, is no accident. It is the fruit of a man who, even as he celebrates 48 years today, has poured himself into his colleagues, his community, and his craft. His leadership is not one of pomp or power but of service—training journalists, advocating for their welfare, and fostering unity in a profession often fraught with rivalry. When he speaks of journalists as “the oxygen of democracy,” as he did during his re-election campaign, you hear not just words but a creed he lives by. His open-door policy, his mentorship, and his refusal to let the state government meddle in union affairs have endeared him to all, securing a mandate that reflects trust earned through decades of selfless giving.

Let me take you back to a moment etched in my memory, a story that reveals the man behind the legend. It was 2014, and I was a fledgling news reporter at Orient Daily Newspaper, hungry to make my mark but green in the ways of the trade. One sweltering afternoon, I stumbled into the newsroom, disheveled and disheartened after a botched assignment in Ekwulobia. My lead had fallen apart, my sources had clammed up, and I was staring at a blank page with a deadline looming like a storm cloud. Dr. Odogwu, then a senior colleague, could have walked past me—many did. Instead, he pulled up a chair, his eyes twinkling with that quiet wisdom I’d come to revere. “O’star,” he said, his voice steady as a drumbeat, “a story isn’t just what you see; it’s what you feel. Go back, listen harder, and let the people speak through you.”

He didn’t stop there. He handed me a crumpled notebook from his desk, filled with contacts he’d cultivated over years—market women, town union leaders, even a quirky electrician who knew every whisper in Aguata. “Use this,” he said, “but promise me you’ll build your own.” That day, I returned to Ekwulobia, armed with his guidance and his generosity. The story I filed—a raw, gripping account of a community’s struggle with a faulty transformer—earned me my first byline and a nod from the editor. But more than that, it ignited a fire in me, a belief that journalism could change lives. Dr. Odogwu didn’t just save my story; he shaped my soul. Years later, as I helm Fact Reporters, I still hear his voice urging me to listen harder, to dig deeper—a gift that keeps giving.

This is the essence of Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu: a titan who lifts others as he rises. His re-election in 2025, trouncing his opponent by over 100 votes, was not just a victory for him but for every journalist in Anambra who has felt his touch—be it through a kind word, a shared resource, or a fierce defense of our rights. Today, as he turns 48, the international community can look to his story as a reminder that true leadership is not about titles but about impact. In a world where media faces unprecedented challenges, Dr. Odogwu stands as a lighthouse, guiding us with his exploits and grounding us with his generosity. To call him a two-term chairman is to understate his legacy; he is, in every sense, a king among scribes, a man whose heart beats for the truth and for those who tell it. Happy birthday, Dr. Odogwu—may your light shine for decades more.