By Nseobong Okon-Ekong
In Nigeria’s media and public communication landscape, few names resonate with as much integrity, depth, and distinction as Mr. Anietie Usen. A journalist, author, public relations strategist, and government communicator, Usen’s career spans over three decades of excellence, impact, and innovation. From the bustling newsroom of Newswatch magazine to the corridors of governance in Akwa Ibom State, his story is one of transformation — of a man who turned the power of words into an enduring instrument of nation-building.
Today, as Senior Information Aide to Governor Umo Eno, Anietie Usen continues to wield his gift of storytelling, shaping narratives that connect leadership with citizens and ensuring that truth and development remain at the core of public communication.
The Newswatch Years: A Reporter with the Soul of a Poet
Anietie Usen’s rise to national prominence began with Newswatch, Nigeria’s foremost investigative magazine, co-founded by Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Mohammed, and Dan Agbese. Joining the publication in its golden era, Usen quickly established himself as one of its most talented writers — a reporter whose pen could blend the precision of fact with the rhythm of literature.
He covered stories that cut across politics, development, human rights, and social change, often venturing into communities that others ignored. His features were immersive and empathetic, revealing the human faces behind policy decisions and national events.
His brilliance did not go unnoticed. Over the years, he became a multiple award-winning journalist, earning local and international recognition for investigative reporting, editorial writing, and literary excellence. In the words of a colleague, “Anietie doesn’t just report stories — he tells them with a heartbeat.”
The Reporter’s Reporter and Voice of Integrity
Mr. Usen stands tall among Nigeria’s most accomplished journalists—a multiple award-winning reporter, editor, and author whose career has left a defining mark on the country’s media landscape.
From his early days as a roving reporter to his rise as one of Nigeria’s most respected editors, Anietie Usen has built a reputation for depth, courage, and precision in storytelling. His investigative and human-interest reports have appeared in major Nigerian and international outlets, earning him widespread respect within and beyond the newsroom.
His sharp editorial instincts and commitment to truth-telling positioned him as one of the leading voices of a generation of journalists who saw their profession as both a calling and a duty to society.
Author of Audacious Journalism
Beyond the newsroom, Usen’s legacy extends to education and mentorship. His book, “Audacious Journalism,” has become a vital resource for students, educators, and practicing journalists alike. In it, he distills decades of field experience into a compelling guide on ethical reporting, investigative courage, and storytelling that serves the public interest.
Through “Audacious Journalism,” Usen has made a lasting impact on continuing education in journalism, inspiring both emerging and established reporters to pursue truth with fearlessness and integrity.
Legacy of Integrity and Mentorship
Anietie Usen’s influence goes beyond the stories he has written. It lives in the generations of journalists he has trained, mentored, and inspired—those who continue to uphold the principles of fairness, accuracy, and courage that define his work.
Through his journalism, his leadership, and his writing, Anietie Usen has cemented his place as a pillar of modern Nigerian journalism—a professional whose audacity, discipline, and dedication continue to shape the standards of the craft.
Author of Village Boy: A Testament to Resilience
Usen’s literary flair found fuller expression in his bestselling book, Village Boy — a deeply personal and inspiring memoir that chronicles his humble beginnings and journey through journalism, public service, and life’s unexpected turns.
The book captures the values that define him: hard work, curiosity, courage, and humility. Written with humor and lyricism, Village Boy transcends autobiography — it is a meditation on destiny, ambition, and the transformative power of education.
The book continues to inspire young readers across Nigeria and beyond, serving as both a coming-of-age story and a cultural document. Critics have described it as “a love letter to rural Africa and the dreams that survive within it.”
The NDDC Years: Public Relations and Strategic Communication
Transitioning from journalism to strategic communication, Anietie Usen joined the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as a Public Relations Consultant and Media Strategist. It was a natural progression for a communicator of his caliber — from interpreting policy for the public to shaping the communication that informs policy itself.
At the NDDC, he designed and implemented image-building campaigns that promoted transparency, community engagement, and development awareness. His work redefined the Commission’s interaction with stakeholders, bringing clarity and professionalism to one of Nigeria’s most scrutinized institutions.
In this role, he earned the title of a PR guru — a communicator who understood that effective public relations is not manipulation, but honest engagement rooted in truth and trust.
Reviving The Pioneer: A New Era in State Media
Returning to his home state, Anietie Usen was appointed General Manager of the Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Pioneer. The state-owned paper, long in need of revival, received a new lease of life under his leadership.
He brought structure, energy, and journalistic discipline to the corporation. Editorial quality improved, and The Pioneer regained its voice as a credible, informative, and developmental newspaper. Usen also modernized production processes, encouraged ethical reporting, and repositioned the organization as a platform for public enlightenment rather than mere government propaganda.
His tenure reaffirmed his belief that state-owned media can be both professional and patriotic — serving the people while supporting government transparency.
A Publisher and Media Innovator
Even while serving in public institutions, Usen’s entrepreneurial drive never waned. He founded and published a Lagos-based evening newspaper, reviving an old journalistic tradition of urban digest reporting. The publication offered sharp, concise news summaries, blending the immediacy of broadcast with the depth of print journalism.
This venture reflected Usen’s innovation — always adapting to evolving reader habits, yet maintaining the rigor of classical journalism.
At the Heart of Governance: Senior Information Aide to Governor Umo Eno
Today, Anietie Usen serves as Senior Information Aide to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State. In this position, he brings to government communication the wisdom of experience and the clarity of purpose.
He is part of the governor’s strategic communication team responsible for shaping perception of the governor’s image.