By Oroni
The Onion Newspaper commemorated its 6th Anniversary in grand style on Saturday, August 1, 2026, with a colourful ceremony held at Rockview Hotel, Owerri, bringing together an impressive gathering of media professionals, government officials, traditional rulers, academics, business leaders, and other eminent personalities from across Imo State and beyond.
The anniversary celebration, themed "The Media, Insecurity and Democracy," also featured the official unveiling of the Lolo Chioma Bright Njoku Charity Foundation, a humanitarian initiative established to preserve the legacy of the late Founder and Publisher of The Onion Newspaper, Lolo Chioma Bright Njoku.
ImoEdge Newspaper was among the media organisations that covered the landmark event, which commenced at 10:00 a.m. The occasion was chaired by His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh, the Obi Gburugburu of Ihim Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
Although the royal father was unavoidably absent, he was represented by Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Agwu, former member representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly and currently the Commissioner representing Imo State on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Welcoming guests, the Editor of The Onion Newspaper, Hon. Basil Ekweke, expressed heartfelt appreciation to individuals, organisations, development partners, advertisers, readers, and supporters whose unwavering commitment has sustained the newspaper's growth and strengthened its reputation as a credible voice in journalism over the past six years.
Hon. Ekweke described the anniversary as more than a celebration of longevity, noting that it was an opportunity to reaffirm the newspaper's commitment to ethical journalism, truth, accountability, and national development.
One of the major highlights of the event was the presentation of Awards of Excellence to distinguished personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions to public service, leadership, community development, and support for media advancement.
Among those honoured were the Executive Chairman of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Prince Chika Okoroike; the Imo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Mrs. Rubby Emele; and the Rector of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education (AIFUE), Owerri, Professor Stella Nlemchi. Several other accomplished personalities also received awards, while some recipients were represented by their delegates.
The celebration also featured a moving tribute to the late Lolo Chioma Bright Njoku, whose vision, resilience, and unwavering dedication to responsible journalism laid the foundation for the remarkable growth and enduring success of The Onion Newspaper.
Speakers at the event described the late publisher as a woman of exceptional integrity whose commitment to truth, excellence, and humanitarian service continues to inspire journalists and media practitioners across Imo State and beyond.
They recalled that Lolo Chioma Bright Njoku was the beloved wife of the Publisher of Nigerian Horn Newspaper, Chief Bright Chimezie Njoku, who has remained committed to preserving her vision and ensuring that her legacy lives on.
A defining moment of the anniversary was the official unveiling of the Lolo Chioma Bright Njoku Charity Foundation, an initiative established to promote humanitarian causes and continue the late publisher's lifelong commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society through charitable and community-based interventions.
The unveiling received widespread commendation from guests, who described the foundation as a worthy platform for sustaining Lolo Njoku's legacy of compassion, selfless service, and community development. They also offered prayers and goodwill messages to the Njoku family, expressing confidence that the foundation would positively impact countless lives.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Publisher of Nigerian Horn Newspaper, Chief Bright Chimezie Njoku, thanked friends, colleagues, associates, and well-wishers for their unwavering support since the passing of his wife.
He reaffirmed his commitment to preserving her ideals and disclosed that her legacy would continue to be celebrated through seminars, workshops, mentorship programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and other activities aimed at promoting professionalism, ethical journalism, and continuous development within the media profession.
The colourful anniversary celebration ended on a memorable and inspiring note, with participants describing the occasion as a fitting tribute to excellence in journalism, visionary leadership, philanthropy, and the media's indispensable role in strengthening democracy, promoting peace, and advancing sustainable national development.
