By Ifeizu Joe
On Thursday, Nze Uche Nworah, former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), who is considered a phenomenal all-time manager of the state owned media outlet marked his birthday.
Same Thursday, the serving Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the station, Mr Chido Obidiegwu was sacked from the position by Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
How it happened for both events to coincide is an explanation that only the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo who hired and fired Obidiegwu can explain.
Nworah, a media personality who has had an all round media job in both private and public establishments has regularly referenced ABS as one of the places he put in his best.
For eight years under former governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, Nworah led ABS to enviable heights. Even though he left the station with the change of government, I’m sure from his social media mentions of the outfit shows how attached he is to it.
Anyone would believe that with such attachment, Nworah after leaving the organisation would wish the best for it. Nworah’s exit was greeted with the appointment of Obidiegwu, but just two years into the administration of Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Obidiegwu was Thursday sacked. His sack came on the day his predecessor, Nworah was celebrating his birthday. With the attachment of Nworah to the outfit, many tongues have wagged about whether the sack is a pleasant or brutal birthday gift to Nworah, especially considering his attachment to the outfit.
Though Obidiegwu receives credit for certain positive developments in ABS, a source told THE RAZOR that many staff of the organisation were instrumental to Obidiegwu’s removal. The source said this was through diverse petitions against him about the running of the organisation. “Many staff of ABS have been petitioning the governor against Obidiegwu, over the running of the station, and I think that was why the governor acted and removed him,” one of the sources said.
Some other outsiders believe that Obidiegwu was not in touch with realities in the organisation, while others said he placed himself far above the organisation and its staff and was not approachable.
Meanwhile, a new MD and CEO has been appointed for the media outfit, which runs a radio, television and internet arm, which is active on all social media handles. The new MD/CEO, Mr Christopher Molokwu is an indigene of Delta State and has been acknowledged as a thorough-bred broadcast manager, who has cut his teeth in broadcasting in many organisations over his 16 years of practice, including with Wazobia FM.
A film director, Mr Bennett Nwankwo in a post on social media said: “I like the new MD of ABS. I love the new job he has taken. After the departure of Chief Uche Nworah. ABS needed a fresh breath, and I think Chris is the right candidate.
“He will bring a new energy to the station. I met him once more than 3 years ago. At that time, he was the head of station at Wazobia FM Onitsha.
“I needed a radio station for my short film My Story. I wrote a letter to Femi Obong-Daniels , the general head of stations. He referred me to Chris. Chris responded quickly and professionally. He showed genuine interest in supporting my project.
“It was Tochigrace Godspower who later called me, to inform me that my request was graciously approved. On the day we filmed. Chris was in his small office, smiling and willing to listen. He shared a few inspiring words with me. He loved the idea of young people changing narratives through films. Chris is definitely the man for this job. ABS needs fresh air. It has arrived,” he wrote.
