By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
It was an evening of ceaseless pouring of encomiums and eulogies in Awka, on Monday, 16 June 2026, as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Anambra State Chapter, organized an Evening of Tributes for the late Protocol and Public Relations guru, Chief (Dr) Uche Augustine Udedibia, fnipr, FCAI, FNISM (Ezennia, Agunechemba Ifitedunu), an elder and Fellow of the Institute.
The late Udedibia, before his death at the ripe age of 80 years, served as Director, News and Current Affairs Department of Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS); Emeritus Director, Protocol, Old and New Anambra State; and President General, Ifitedunu Town Union.
The event which had “A Life of Impact of PR” as its theme, witnessed the signing of condolence register by the members and guests, soft instrumental music, candle light procession, call to Order and opening prayer by the officiating priests and clergy, Bible reading, reflections, song renditions, and a brief reading of his profile.
Those who paid tributes to the late Udedibia included the National President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku; the Chapter Chairman, Dr. Ngozi Ulogu; the former Chapter Chairman, and former National Vice President, Dr. Dennis Ekemezie, fnipr; former Chapter Chairman, Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, fnipr; Fellow of the Council, Lady Ngozi Okoye, fnipr; the daughter of the deceased, Ifeoma Udedibia; sister to the deceased, Mrs Agatha Nwabueze; the nephew to the deceased and the Director, Fides Media Limited, Reverend Father Obiora Ikeh, among others.
Chief Udedibia was a veteran journalist, protocol guru, erstwhile Chief of Protocol, Director of Protocol, and later retired as a Permanent Secretary, Government House, Anambra State, in 2006 after attaining the mandatory civil service age of 60.
As a fellow of the Institute, the deceased who hailed from Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Council Area of Anambra State, had mentored many in journalism, broadcasting, protocol, public relations, reputation building and image management.
Against this backdrop, the NIPR Anambra State Chapter, in which he was a founding member, held an Evening of Tributes for him at De-Nobles Hotel, Awka on Monday, 15 June 2026, in the presence of some of his family members.
The programme, officiated by an immediate past Council member of the Institute, Rev Fr Prof Boniface Obiefuna, and assisted by Rev. Canon Augustine Okonji and the Director of Fides Media Limited, Reverend Fr Obiora Ikeh, featured choir’s solemn music, signing of condolences register, candle light procession, sermon and outpouring of tributes.
Opening the floodgate of tributes for Ezennia (as he was fondly called), the President, Chairman of Council NIPR, and Member of Board, Global Alliance, Dr Ike Neliaku, described the late Chief Udedibia as a fellow whose legacy would continue to resonate in the institutions he strengthened, the professionals he mentored, the friendships he nurtured, and the countless lives he touched through his service and exemplary life.
Neliaku, in his tribute titled, “Tribute to a Distinguished Public Relations Icon, Mentor, Nation Builder and Elder Statesman”, read by the Chairman, NIPR, Anambra State Chapter, Dr Ngozi Ulogu, said Udedibia was not merely a practitioner of Public Relations, but one of its custodians who lived it as life.
He said Udedibia’s passing, marked the end of a remarkable part in the History of Public Relations practice in Nigeria, describing him as belonging to a rare generation of professionals whose commitment to ethical standards, professional development, and national service helped shape and elevate the practice of public relations in the country.
Udedibia’s bosom friend, Dr Denis Ekemezie, who doubles as former National Vice President, NIPR, and current Chairman, Council of Fellows, NIPR, Anambra State Chapter, eulogized the deceased as a dependable friend and ally with whom they solidly, built the state chapter of the Institute and nurtured members that had continued to sustain the existence of NIPR and public relations practice in the state.
His mentee and Deputy State Chief of Protocol to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Lady Ngozi Okoye, whose tribute was read by Dr Njide Ezeonyejiaku, described the deceased as the ‘Doyen of Protocol’ in Anambra State and beyond whose remarkable career spanned both military and civilian administrations, during which he served with uncommon dedication, professionalism, and loyalty.
She said his passing had left a void that would be difficult to fill, though his legacy would endure in the countless lives he touched, the institutions he strengthened, and the professional standards he established.
Other speakers included Sir Charly Mbakaigwe, former Director of Protocol, Government House; and Engr Prof Stephen Ufoaroh, President General, Ifitedunu and former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka Chapter.
Responding on behalf of the bereaved family, his daughter, Ms Ifeoma Udedibia, appreciated NIPR for organising such an event in honour of her late father, urging them to continue with the legacy he left behind.
For her part, Udedibia’s sister, Dr Agatha Nwabueze, said Ezennia was the only son in the family and took good care of her eight sisters, including herself, whom he saw through her PhD education.
In her closing remarks, the Chapter Chairman, Dr Ngozi Ulogu, said Ezennia was full of life and showed no sign of ill-health during the 13th March, 2026 Summit/AGM held in Awka, in which he participated actively and never knew that it would be his last NIPR activity on earth.
Udedibia’s remains were committed to mother earth on Friday, 19 June 2026, in his hometown, Ifitedunu, in Dunukofia LGA of Anambra State.
