NUJ Zone C Honours Dr. Uche Iro with Lifetime Humanitarian Award

By Anyi Lemchi

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone C (South-East), has conferred a Lifetime Humanitarian Service Award of Excellence on Rtn. Ambassador High Chief Dr. Uche E. Iro, JP, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of STRIVAD Group of Companies and Founder/President of the STRIVAD Foundation.

The award recognises his philanthropic work and what the Union described as selfless service to humanity over many years.

The honour was presented on Wednesday, 21st October, 2026, during the Congress of the NUJ Imo State Council. Before the presentation, a Patron Investiture was held for Ambassador Iro.

Speaking with newsmen, the NUJ Vice President for Zone C, Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku, JP, said it is the first award of its kind from the zone. He said it was meant to encourage the philanthropist to keep doing more for God and humanity.

Adiuku explained that NUJ awards go only to select individuals who have distinguished themselves in service to others. He urged Ambassador Iro to hold fast to the ideals for which the Union nominated him, and to always support the zone in his new role as its patron.

Ambassador Iro was represented at the event by Sir Dr. Tobias Ugo Nwokocha, KSM, who received the award on his behalf. Nwokocha thanked the NUJ, particularly Zone C and its Vice President, for celebrating the humanitarian contributions of his principal. He called the honour well deserved.

He said STRIVAD and the NUJ have enjoyed a long relationship built on cooperation and partnership. According to him, the Union has been a dependable partner, consistently publicising the programmes and humanitarian interventions of the STRIVAD Foundation. He praised the NUJ as a noble association that plays a vital role in informing the public and promoting initiatives that advance society.

Nwokocha stressed that Dr. Iro’s charity is no new thing. “This philanthropic gesture did not begin today. It has been sustained for over 30 years, and the commitment to serving humanity will continue,” he said.

Updating journalists on the foundation’s activities, he disclosed that STRIVAD has just concluded its scholarship programme for university students. Beneficiaries are expected to begin collecting their awards at their designated offices in Owerri during the first week of November 2026.

He also announced that the foundation will hold the third edition of its special recognition programme for teachers on November 30, 2026. Three serving teachers and three retired teachers from government-owned schools will be selected and honoured for their dedication, sacrifice and years of service to education and community development. Nwokocha noted that teachers shape society and deserve to be celebrated for nurturing future generations.

Concluding, he commended the NUJ and the organisers of the award, and urged members of the Union to keep upholding the integrity, professionalism and ideals of the association. He added that the recognition would deepen the bond between the STRIVAD Foundation and the NUJ, and encourage closer collaboration on humanitarian service and sustainable community development.