Nkechinyere Ewa
Veteran journalist and Ebonyi State Correspondent of Daily Times Newspapers, Peter Chukwudi Okutu, has received the National Excellent Leadership Award in Journalism in Abuja.
Okutu, who is also the Advert Executive of The Guardian Newspapers and Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of PUNCHYNEWSNG.COM, was honoured for his contributions to journalism, leadership and community development spanning more than two decades.
The award was presented by the Professional Public Speaking and Leadership Academy, Abuja, in recognition of his accomplishments and leadership within the media community.
Okutu is a former Ebonyi State Correspondent of Vanguard Newspapers, where he served for 15 years. He has also held leadership positions within the journalism profession, including Chairman of the National Guide Chapel and Vice Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council.
His leadership experience, according to his profile, dates back to his secondary school years and continued at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, where he became the first pastor of his campus fellowship and pioneer President of the English Language and Literature Students’ Association (ELLSA).
Beyond journalism, Okutu is an ordained Reverend Minister and has served in various leadership capacities in Dominion City. He was Resident Pastor at Dominion City Amikeaba for more than 10 years and Co-Resident Pastor at the Dominion City Headquarters, Abakaliki. He is currently the Resident Pastor of Dominion City Oroke-Onoha II in Ebonyi Local Government Area.
Through his ministry, he has been involved in community outreaches, humanitarian interventions and youth development initiatives, including the establishment of the Oroke-Onoha Youth Fellowship to train and empower young people for leadership.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Professional Public Speaking and Leadership Academy, Dr Lotanna Okoye, said the award was designed to recognise hard work, diligence and commitment to service.
Okoye said leadership development remained important to building future leaders capable of contributing positively to society.
He also announced the commencement of a new programme, Metamorphosis, a free leadership and values-based programme designed for teenagers, as well as plans to recognise parents who distinguish themselves in parenting and child upbringing.
Speaking with journalists after receiving the award, Okutu expressed delight that his years of service in the media had received national recognition.
He said the recognition would encourage him to continue giving his best to the media profession, Ebonyi State and Nigeria.
“Today is indeed one of the best days of my life. I feel elated and proud to be a distinguished journalist that knows his onions,” he said.
Okutu urged journalists and other media practitioners not to give up in the face of challenges, but to remain committed to the ethics and expectations of the profession.
“I want to encourage my colleagues in the media to live up to the expectations of their chosen career. Let’s not give up because I know that the sky will certainly be our starting point,” he said.
He dedicated the award to God, expressing gratitude for the grace and skills that had enabled him to record what he described as significant achievements in journalism and other areas of service.
