By CHIDIEBERE ENYIA
The Association of Imo State Radio and Television Presenters (AIR TP) will on Friday, October 7, 2022 hold its first anniversary/media dinner during which it will honour some media veterans.
Top among the honourees are Senator Chris Anyanwu, proprietress of Hot 99.5FM, Owerri and Chief Kennedy Zanders of Zanders 105.7FM, Owerri.
Others are Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, Donald Ekenta, Ejike Emma Ahamba and Isaac Anyanwu.
The President of the association, Jerry Osuji disclosed this on Monday at a pre-anniversary/media dinner news conference held in Owerri, the state capital.
Osuji said the association decided to honour them due to their contributions to the growth and development of the media industry in the state.
He noted that Senator Anyanwu was the first person to establish the first private radio station in the state while Hon. Uche Ogbuagu became the first comedian to achieve the same feat.
According to him, Chief Kennedy Zanders was the first proprietor to establish both radio and television channels in the state.
Osuji enumerated the achievements of the association in its first year of existence to include galvanizing opportunities for further training of presenters and creating commradership among members.
He said : “The association of Imo State Radio and Television Presenters (AIR TP) was formed with the sole aim to galvanise opportunities for further training of presenters in Imo State in tune with the latest emerging trends in broadcasting.
“The association has created commradership among presenters. They now have a common front to know each other and discuss issues affecting them.
“The association is in patnership with managements of media houses in Imo State to ensure that the welfare of the presenters are top priority”.
He disclosed that the theme of the anniversary is: Broadcasting in the 21st Century: A Paradigm Shift”, adding that a former Director General of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation IBC, Mr. Alex Nwahiri will deliver virtually a lecture entitled; Presenter: A Critical Actor in the Media Industry during the celebration.
He equally disclosed that his executive will soon undertake a tour of the other 35 states in the country including Abuja which will culminate into the inauguration of the National Association of Radio and Television Presenters (NARTP).
It was gathered that the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma will be the special guest of honour while Hon Declan Emelumba, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy will be the guest of honour.
Also, the ceremony will hold under the distinguished chairmanship of Okenze Sylvester Obinna.
Also speaking, Prince Iheanetu Clarkson Evans, Chairman of the Central Working Committee disclosed that the event will commence on Thursday October 6 with a road walk and traffic control by the presenters.
According to him, the day 2 of the celebration will feature the lecture, dinner and conferment of awards to the eminent persons.
In a vote of thanks, the Publicity Secretary of the association, Salvator Amadi expressed optimism that the first anniversary celebration will be grand and urged invited guests to honour the association with their dignified presence.
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