Right from his journalistic commencement training at the famous Daily Times Journalism Training School, it was clear that Azuka was different from the usual denizens in the craft. Everything showed that he’s a gladiatorial journalist rooted in excellence.
There are some joint names famous for goodness or infamy: Paul and Silas, Buhari and Idiagbon, Rolls and Royce, Hewlit and Packard, Bill and Hillary, Hitler and Mussolini, Azuka and Fela {seen in the picture with Femi Falana and others}.
At Punch Newspapers, Azuka was part of an artistic malady of talented young people. His rebellious creativity flowered at Punch Newspapers.
Sensationally, Punch brought Azuka into contact with the three tenors of iconoclasm: the Abami Eda, Beko Ransome Kuti and Femi Falana. An iconoclast himself, Azuka unraveled and blossomed with them.
Until Azuka, entertainment journalism looked old, dour and was predictable. Azuka brought features that made his pages part newspaper, part magazine, part joyful reading and part dissident’s delight!
Azuka more than any journalist, owns the copyright to the long layout ensemble that elevated the art from dullness to shinning heights. The right of reply Azuka gave to his critics and traducers on his pages surprised them.
In Azuka’s farm, the wheat of entertainment journalism grew.
And industry watches took note. In 1987 and 1988, Azuka won the *Entertainment Journalist of the Year Award.* He would have domesticated it again in 1989, but he bolted to the United States of America.
In the USA, Azuka’s life became grander: security guard, taxi driving, college education, corporate communication and marketing, corporate work assignments in Japan and the UK, broadcast journalism and car dealership. He also delved into philanthropy.
In Nigeria and America, Azuka was in a ballet with a coterie of damsels. He had numerous affairs and took wives in both places. Today, he’s married to Alhaja, a fair lady in beauty and disposition. Miraculously, Azuka has raised and educated glorious daughters. And other daughters and his son are streaming through various grades at various levels. For a denizen, he’s very, very close to his children. I suspect it’s because NONE of Azuka’s children bears any physical resemblance to their mothers!
If another life were possible for Azuka, I would have asked him to check into a monastery. But since the hood does not make the monk, I may tip him to be a valued eunuch in the palace of an Oriental despot!
Concern for the powerless brought Azuka into confrontation with Ned Nwoko. Years ago, Azuka was locked in a battle with a mighty media prince and wasn’t subdued. Painfully, Ned discovered that Azuka is neither bought nor bossed! Not knowing Azuka’s pedigree as a dogged journalist, Ned thought that he will fizzle away, but it proved to be a costly mistake. Ned lacks dignity to dethrone Azuka and his alleged wealth has not accorded him respect.
Today, Azuka is the weapon of youths striving to raise some strained and stained traditional institutions in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State. He stepped into the vacuity fostered by some unfeeling traditional rulers. The schmooze between Ned Nwoko, a bullynaire cum regina finalist and some traditional rulers has unnerved many youths whose cause Azuka has championed energetically. That explains his emotive appeal.
Many people have distanced from Ned, thanks to Azuka’s unending expose. He has punctured Ned’s pomposity and pseudo popularity. He has halted Ned in his tracks.
Azuka has adulatory fans. But for his atheism, beautification as an inspirational gem may not be far away.
By his own admission, Covid 19 has invested him with weight and sloth. So what’s left in his tank at 60 and after?
Azuka has every reason to be grateful to GOD who made him. I am!
At 60, his ecosystem transverses media, music, marketing, writing and philanthropy in two continents.
Azuka has fueled Nigerian journalism for about 35 years. He’s a grandee of the pen profession. In many ways, Azuka has never really been away from his constituency. He’s a sort of editor-at-large.
From the USA, he maintained very popular columns in ThisDay and Punch Newspapers. Jebose Boulevard in Punch Newspapers thrilled lives for a long time.
By accidental circumstances, Azuka became a journalist. By good breeding, he found himself drawn to the cause of the weak, oppressed, depressed and disposed.
Azuka’s biggest philanthropic intervention is the novel medical initiative, MAMA REGI COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER planned for his birthplace and environs. Hundreds of godly, willing donors on both sides of the Atlantic are part of this project because of Azuka’s transparent track record in philanthropy.
Journalism is Azuka’s body, writing and philanthropy serve as his arteries and veins. That explains the appeal of MAMA REGI COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER.
On his 60th earthly pilgrimage, Azuka needs to institute a mentorship mechanism post MAMA REGI. He must bequeath to posterity internationally acceptable platforms to further his ideas and ideals.
Azuka should bequeath his journalistic, writing, work and life papers and ephemera to a credible institution. He must continue to live after death – many years from now.
Through his journalistic and philanthropic ventures, Azuka is already the custodian of several parts of thousands of lives. He should archive them 10, 20 or 30 years from now.
Happy Birthday, Azuka. May God keep you to see your children’s children in JESUS mighty name.
Congratulations.
*Pastor* *Chukwuemeka* Joseph Anumbor*
