Chris Anyanwu
Christiana Anyanwu | |
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Senator for Imo East | |
In office 29 May 2007 – 2015 | |
Preceded by | Amah Iwuagwu |
Succeeded by | Samdady Anyanwu |
Chris Anyanwu | |
---|---|
Born | Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize (1998) | 28 October 1951
Christiana "Chris" Anyanwu
Believing that she could make more of an impact in politics than in journalism, Anyanwu ran for office and was elected Senator for the Imo East (Owerri) constituency in 2007.[1]
Early life and career
Anyanwu was born in Mbaise, Imo State.[2] She attended Owerri Girls Secondary School before moving to the US, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and a master's degree in Mass Communication from Florida State University.[1]
After graduating, she returned to Nigeria, and worked for the NTA and the Imo Broadcasting Corporation as a news reader and reporter.[2] In 1987, she was appointed Imo State commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, Culture and Social Welfare under Imo governor Amadi Ikwechegh.[3] Following her tenure as commissioner, Anyanwu became publisher/editor-in-chief of TSM (The Sunday Magazine), a weekly publication focused on political issues.[4]
Imprisonment
In May 1995 Anyanwu was arrested following the publication of a story about a failed coup d'état against the government of
Shortly after her imprisonment, she received the
Post-imprisonment
In June 1998, following the death of President Abacha and several protests from human rights groups worldwide, Anyanwu was released by Abacha's successor General Abdulsalam Abubakar on health grounds. She spent two years in Virginia, during which she wrote the book Days of Terror about Nigeria's struggle during the dictatorship. Returning to Nigeria after her book's release, she testified to her experiences in prison and confronted her former jailers, publicly forgiving one after he apologized to her.[5]
A televised version of her now-defunct publication TSM Show was aired in 2001.[10]
In 2005, Anyanwu opened her radio station
Political career
During the
After taking her seat in the Senate she was appointed to committees on Women and Youth, States & Local Government, Millennium Development Goals, Health, Environment and Defence & Army.[1] In a mid-term evaluation of Senators in May 2009, ThisDay reported that she had sponsored bills on Occupational Health and Safety and to Criminalise and Punish Discrimination and Segregation against Nigerians, and had sponsored seven motions. The report described her as an engaging contributor to debates in plenary who was active in the committees.[14] Anyanwu was a successful contender to be reelected as Senator for Imo East on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) platform in the April 2011 elections. The PDP declared that they would contest the result, claiming that voting was marred by violence.[15]
Personal life
Anyanwu is married to Casmir Anyanwu, with whom she has a daughter, Ihuoma, and a son, Nduwueze, who live in the US.[2][16] She is a devout Christian.[11]
References
- ^ a b c "Sen.Anyanwu Chris N. D". National Assembly of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Nigeria at UNESCO / UNESCO Awards to Nigerians". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ Augustine Adah (22 November 2009). "Amadi Ikwechegh is Dead". Newswatch. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ Ismail Omipidan (13 August 2007). "I didn't get to the Senate with bottom power, declares Senator Chris Anyanwu". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 29 February 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ a b Peggy Simpson. "Fifteen Years of Courage: Chris Anyanwu". International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- OCLC 50662318.
- ^ a b "Christine Anyanwu". Committee to Protect Journalists. 27 August 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Chris Anyanwu, Nigeria". International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ "Nigerian Christina Anyanwu Receives the UNESCO and Reporters Sans Frontieres Press Prizes". UNESCO. 2 September 1998. Archived from the original on 26 January 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Profile". Chris Anyanwu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ a b "NIGERIA - The Road North". PBS. January 2003. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ "2007 senatorial campaign web site". chrisanyanwu.org. Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ Hillary Gyuaras (16 August 2012). "Chris Anyanwu: Journalist turned Senator Works to Strengthen Democracy in Nigeria". International Women's Media Foundation. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "An Improved Senate, But Some Uninspiring Senators..." ThisDay. 24 May 2009. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ "PDP rejects NASS election results in Imo". Vanguard. 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 16 April 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- ^ Dana Peck (August 1998). "Journalist Spent 3 Years in Prison". Florida States Times. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.