By Adesina Soyooye
An aggressive cancer of the stomach has snatched away a female journalism amazon, Dr Ngozi Anyaegbunam.
Dr. Anyaegbunam, brilliant, full of humility, was a number of things rolled into one. She was an academic, accomplished journalist, author, prolific columnist, administrator, and media consultant to many blue chip companies.
Stomach cancer is one of the most deadly type of Cancers, not easily detectable and/or diagnosable but usually aggressive.
Reliable sources informed this medium that hers was diagnosed a couple of months ago on a visit to see her son in Abuja.
A statement signed by her son, Rocky Agbese, on behalf of the family, confirmed her very sad passing last week.
It reads:
“With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the untimely death of Dr Ngozi Fidelia Anyaegbunam after a brief illness.
“A trailblazing journalist who had editorial stints with Champion Newspaper (1st female editor) and The Daily Times (where she authored the book Waziri Ibrahim: Politics Without Bitterness), Ngozi was born in October 1957 at Damaturu in modern day Yobe State to George and Victoria Anyaegbunam.
“Subsequent to these, she became a full time media management consultant to numerous blue chip companies.
“She also held the distinction of being a female print media journalist to interview two sitting Presidents of Nigeria (Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari).
“A dedicated and loving mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend, Auntie Ngozi will be sorely missed by all who came across her and were impacted by her larger than life presence.
“Rest in Peace till we meet to part no more!!”
Dr. Anyaegbunam had her first degree at the University of Jos in 1976 and her Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Calabar where she also lectured and rose to Head the Department of General Studies in 1986.
She was the first Woman Editor, Champion Newspapers, 1988, and was a member of the Editorial Board between 1988 and 1991.
Dr Anyaegbunam later became a senior member of the Editorial Board of Daily Times newspapers between 1991 and 95.
She became a media strategist and consultant, thereafter, to the National Population Commission, 1991-95; National Electric Power Authority, 1994; Raw Materials Research and Development Council, 1994; NICON Insurance PIc, 1994; African Population Commission, 1995; Guinness Nigeria PIc, 1995; rapporteur and consultant to the United Nations Development Programme, 1995; resource person, National War College, 1997.
Dr. Anyaegbunam was awarded a Certificate of Recognition by the Daily Times newspaper in 1992; Award of Excellence by the National Council of Women Societies in 1994 and also the Nigeria National Media Merit Award.
An author, she published the Feminist Tendency in Jagua Nana’s Daughter, and The Essential Ekwensi in 1987.
She died at the age of 67 years.
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