The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Correspondents’ Chapel, has celebrated businessman and philanthropist, Chief Austine Oguejiofor, on the occasion of his 56th birthday.

The Chapel in statement lauded him for maintaining an open relationship with the media, granting interviews and engaging reporters on his investments, entrepreneurship, development projects and philanthropic activities.

In a congratulatory message, the Chapel described Oguejiofor as a businessman whose journey from humble beginnings to the business community has been marked by enterprise, philanthropy and sustained engagement with the media.

The Chapel said his relationship with journalists had gone beyond seeking publicity, noting that he had consistently made himself available to the media to discuss his businesses and projects.

The statement said “For journalists, Chief Austine Oguejiofor is not an unfamiliar name. Over the years, he has opened his businesses, projects and ideas to media scrutiny and engagement, speaking with journalists on his investments, entrepreneurship, development projects and philanthropy.”

They noted that Oguejiofor’s engagement with the media had been particularly visible through his investments in Anambra State and major real estate projects in Abuja.

It said his willingness to interact with journalists had helped strengthen the relationship between the media and the business community. In corporate Nigeria today, where everybody suddenly remembers journalists when there is a crisis, Oguejiofor’s long-standing engagement with journalists has helped keep relationships more human.”

The NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel said its decision to celebrate the businessman was also in recognition of individuals who had supported journalists and maintained a cordial relationship with the profession.

“At 56, Oguejiofor now sits in that interesting space where business success, community leadership and traditional recognition begin to meet,” it said.

The businessman, who is associated with First Rotech Group and investments in real estate and other sectors, is also recognised as a prominent member of the Enugwu-Ukwu community.

The Chapel recalled that he had been listed among members of the Igwe’s cabinet at a major public event in Abuja.

It said Oguejiofor’s success story did not begin with boardrooms or major investments, but with humble beginnings and years of hard work.

According to the Chapel, he has publicly spoken about growing up without a silver spoon, taking on odd jobs and working as an electronics repair mechanic before finding his feet in business.

His relocation to Abuja, it added, marked another chapter in his career, eventually leading him into real estate and other investments.

The Chapel said Oguejiofor had also consistently linked his business success to his desire to support others.

It quoted him as saying that philanthropy was part of his motivation for going into business, adding that his success should provide him with an opportunity to “help my family and humanity.”

The statement said the philosophy had been reflected in his investments, philanthropic activities and community engagements.

It recalled that in 2019, the Eastern Union and Igbo think-tank movement worldwide, Oriental Platform, honoured Oguejiofor as a Nigerian businessman of integrity and patriotism.

The organisers, according to the Chapel, cited his contributions to development, job creation and philanthropic activities.

The statement further noted that Oguejiofor’s business interests span real estate, energy, agriculture and other sectors, with his investments in Anambra State particularly visible.

It said the businessman had, in a recent interview with reporters, expressed satisfaction with investing in his home state and described his desire to give back as part of what he had always hoped to achieve through his success.

The Chapel said his 56th birthday was therefore an opportunity to acknowledge not only his business achievements but also his contributions to society and his relationship with the media.

“But perhaps the strongest argument for celebrating him is not what is written after his name but what people remember when the cameras are gone,” it said.

The journalists described the celebration as more than a birthday commendation, saying it was an acknowledgement of a businessman whose journey had increasingly brought him into the areas of community leadership, philanthropy and public service.

The Chapel said, “His story reflects an important Nigerian truth that success becomes more meaningful when it creates room for other people to succeed.”

It congratulated Oguejiofor on his 56th birthday and wished him continued good health, wisdom, enterprise and service to humanity.

“For Chief Oguejiofor, 56 is not simply another number but another checkpoint in a journey that has moved from humble beginnings to enterprise, from enterprise to influence, and increasingly from influence to responsibility,” the statement said.

The NUJ FCT Correspondents’ Chapel said it was joining his family, friends, associates and well-wishers to celebrate his achievements and wished him “many more years in good health, wisdom, enterprise and service.”

The Chapel concluded: “Some people celebrate birthdays, and others leave footprints. The NUJ FCT Correspondents’ Chapel celebrates Chief Oguejiofor at 56, reminding him that his footprints have been noticed and wishing him many more years in good health, wisdom, enterprise and service.”