Abia Town Unions awards recognise Sun MD Onuoha Ukeh and other prominent indigenes as the association launches a ₦500m Abia House project in Lagos

Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, has received a Distinguished Award of Excellence in Media, Newspaper Guru, alongside prominent Abia State indigenes at the 2026 Abia Day celebration organised by the Abia State Town Unions Association (ASTUA) in Lagos on Saturday, November 7.

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The celebration brought together traditional rulers, business leaders, political figures and other distinguished sons and daughters of Abia State, with the organisers also launching a ₦500m fundraising initiative for the proposed Abia House and Investment Hub in Lagos.

Other prominent recipients included the Eze Aro, His Eminence, Dr Eberechukwu Kanu Oji; businessman Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Samson Ogah; Chief Moses Kalu; and Ugwuaro Victor Okonkwo.

The awards recognised their contributions across different sectors, including journalism, business, leadership and community development.

Ukeh’s recognition was specifically linked to his contributions to journalism and the newspaper industry, as well as his leadership of The Sun Publishing Limited.

The President-General of ASTUA, Mazi Chuks Nwosu, said the award acknowledged Ukeh’s commitment to professional journalism, truth, national development and the positive representation of Abia State.

Responding to the honour, Ukeh expressed gratitude to the association, describing the recognition as deeply encouraging and an affirmation of the importance of journalism in society.

He said the award went beyond his individual achievements, highlighting the wider responsibility of newspapers in strengthening democratic institutions and holding public office holders accountable.

“A newspaper is much more than a collection of printed pages. It is an institution of democracy, a custodian of history, a marketplace of ideas and a platform for informed public discourse,” Ukeh said.

He added that journalists must remain committed to professional standards, press freedom and the credibility of the media, particularly at a time when misinformation and threats to fundamental freedoms remain important public concerns.

Ukeh also used the occasion to encourage Abia indigenes to contribute meaningfully to the development of their home state, irrespective of where they reside.

He said the state’s reputation as God’s Own State should be reflected in the conduct, achievements and collective contributions of its people.

“I am proud to be a journalist. I am proud to be an indigene of Abia State. And I am proud to be associated with an organisation that understands the importance of journalism and has chosen to celebrate excellence in the profession,” he said.

Beyond the awards, the celebration featured the unveiling of plans to raise ₦500m for the construction of Abia House and Investment Hub, a proposed multipurpose facility intended to serve Abia indigenes living in Lagos.

The project is expected to accommodate the permanent secretariat of ASTUA, a community town hall, an empowerment centre and a business hub to support economic and social opportunities for Abia residents in the state.

Speaking at the gathering, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, represented by his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, congratulated the association on the initiative and assured its leadership of the state government’s support.

Emetu also announced a personal donation of a trailer-load of cement towards the proposed development.

He urged Abia indigenes living in Lagos to maintain peaceful relationships with their host communities and residents from other parts of the country.

The chairman of the occasion, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, welcomed participants and described ASTUA as an umbrella organisation representing numerous Abia communities and town unions in Lagos.

He said the proposed development would provide a permanent institutional base for the association while creating opportunities for community engagement, business development and youth empowerment.

ASTUA President-General, Mazi Chuks Nwosu, also appealed to Abia indigenes and other well-wishers to support the project.

Nwosu regretted that the association had relied on rented facilities for its meetings over the years, explaining that a permanent structure would provide a more suitable environment for its activities.

He said the fundraising initiative was designed to secure a lasting community asset for Abians living in Lagos rather than simply provide another meeting venue.

The Eze Aro, His Eminence, Dr Eberechukwu Kanu Oji, also stressed the importance of preserving cultural identity and strengthening relationships among Abia indigenes in the diaspora.

He described the gathering as a reminder that people should remain connected to their origins and recognise their responsibilities to future generations.

According to him, the proposed Abia House would serve as more than a physical meeting place.

“Apart from serving as a permanent home for every Abian in Lagos, it will serve as a centre for cultural preservation, community development, government engagement and opportunities for our people,” he said.

The association had announced plans for the fundraising and awards ahead of the November 7 celebration, describing the proposed town hall and permanent headquarters as a long-term investment in the welfare and unity of Abia indigenes in Lagos.

The initiative also reflects the growing organisational role of ASTUA among Abia communities in Lagos. Reports ahead of the event indicated that the association had expanded from 23 active communities to 55 registered communities since Nwosu assumed office earlier in 2026.

For Ukeh, the recognition adds to a career spanning several decades in the Nigerian newspaper industry.

Before becoming Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun in 2019, he held several editorial positions, including Editor of Daily Sun, Editor of Saturday Sun, Deputy Editor of Daily Sun and senior editorial roles at The Post Express and Champion Newspapers.

He was also elected General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in June 2025, further extending his professional responsibilities within Nigeria’s media industry.

The Abia Day celebration therefore combined recognition of individual achievements with a broader effort to strengthen community identity, promote cooperation and establish a permanent centre for Abia indigenes in Lagos.

As the proposed ₦500m project moves towards implementation, its success will depend on sustained contributions from the association’s members, private supporters and the wider Abia community.

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For the award recipients, the occasion offered an opportunity to celebrate professional accomplishments while renewing their connection with the state and its people.