Veteran sports Journalist Chigozie Chukwuleta bags NUJ long service award

Veteran broadcaster and sports journalist, Ms. Chigozie Patience Chukwuleta, has been honoured with the 2026 NUJ Anambra Long Term Professional Service Award for her over three decades of service in journalism.

Chukwuleta, deputy station manager of UNIZIK 94.1 FM, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, received merit award on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during the 35th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra state council.

The award, signed by the Chairman of NUJ Anambra state council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, and handed to her by the chairman of the occasion, Dr Churchill Okonkwo recognised her sustained contribution to journalism, particularly sports reporting.

According to her profile released at the event, Ms Chukwuleta is a media administrator and sports journalist with over 30 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism.

A holder of a Masters degree in Mass Communication from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, she worked with the Concord Newspapers from 1991 to 1993 and the Anambra State Newspapers and Printing Corporation, publishers of the National Light, from 1993 to 2008.

She joined Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2008 where she rose to the position of deputy station manager, UNIZIK 94.1 FM since 2013.

She provides editorial leadership and operational oversight for the university radio station, and has been instrumental in shaping campus broadcasting and mentoring young media professionals.

A trailblazer in sports reporting, Chukwuleta has represented Nigeria and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on major assignments.

She served as National Treasurer of SWAN from 2009 to 2015, National Financial Secretary from 2015 to 2018, and Vice President, SWAN, South East, from 2018 to 2022.

She is a nationally recognised sports writer with a distinguished record of covering major continental and international competitions, including the African Youth Championship, Nigeria ’95, Nigeria ’99 and Ghana ’99; All Africa Games, South Africa 1999, All Africa Games Nigeria 2003 and All Africa Games Algeria 2007; and the Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana/Nigeria 2000, Ghana 2008 and South Africa 2013.

She also attended the FIFA/AFP Training for Female Sports Writers in Africa in Senegal in 2011.

Reflecting on the honour, Chukwuleta described the award as significant after decades of dedication to the profession.

She expressed appreciation to her family, the leadership of NUJ Anambra state council, colleagues at UNIZIK 94.1 FM, members of SWAN, friends and well-wishers for their support.

She attributed the milestone to God, saying, “It can only be God.”