Chris Anyanwu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christiana Anyanwu
Senator for Imo East
In office 29 May 2007 – 2015
Preceded by	Amah Iwuagwu
Succeeded by	Samdady Anyanwu

Christiana "Chris" Anyanwu (born October 28, 1951) is a famous Nigerian journalist, writer, and politician. She was put in prison from 1995 to 1998 for reporting on a failed attempt to overthrow the government. Even while in prison, she won several important awards for her brave journalism, like the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

Chris Anyanwu believed she could help her country even more through politics. So, she ran for office and became a Senator for the Imo East area in Nigeria in 2007.

Chris Anyanwu's Early Life and Work

Chris Anyanwu was born in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria. She went to Owerri Girls Secondary School. Later, she moved to the United States.

In the US, she earned a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. She also got a master's degree in Mass Communication from Florida State University.

Starting a Career in Journalism

After finishing her studies, Chris Anyanwu came back to Nigeria. She worked for the NTA and the Imo Broadcasting Corporation. There, she was a news reader and a reporter.

In 1987, she became a commissioner in Imo State. She was in charge of Information, Youth, Sports, Culture, and Social Welfare. After this, Anyanwu started her own weekly magazine called TSM (The Sunday Magazine). This magazine focused on important political topics.

Her Time in Prison

In May 1995, Chris Anyanwu was arrested. This happened after her magazine published a story about a failed attempt to overthrow the government. She and other journalists were accused of helping those who tried to overthrow the government.

The Trial and Sentence

Anyanwu's trial was held in secret by a military court. On July 4, 1995, she was sentenced to life in prison. Later, in October 1995, her sentence was reduced to 15 years. This change happened because many human rights groups spoke out for her.

While she was held in Gombe prison, her eyesight became very poor. Doctors warned that she might lose her sight completely without medical help.

Awards While Imprisoned

Soon after she was put in prison, Chris Anyanwu received the International Women's Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award. This news was shared around the world. She was in solitary confinement when she got a note saying, "Some women in America are giving you a prize. The world is watching."

Anyanwu later said that this award gave her hope in prison. She felt encouraged and strong. Two years later, the Committee to Protect Journalists gave her the CPJ International Press Freedom Award. In May 1998, she also received UNESCO's Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. Because she was still in prison, Nobel Prize in Literature winner Wole Soyinka accepted the UNESCO award for her.

Life After Prison

In June 1998, Chris Anyanwu was released from prison. This happened after the death of the president and many protests from human rights groups. She was released for health reasons.

She then spent two years in Virginia, USA. During this time, she wrote a book called Days of Terror. The book was about Nigeria's struggles during the time of the dictatorship.

Returning to Public Life

After her book was released, she returned to Nigeria. She shared her experiences in prison. She even publicly forgave one of her former jailers after he apologized to her.

In 2001, a TV version of her magazine, TSM Show, was aired. In 2005, Anyanwu opened her own radio station, Hot 98.3 FM, in Abuja. She was also featured in a TV show called Nigeria: The Road North in 2003.

Chris Anyanwu's Political Career

During the Nigerian general election, 2007, Chris Anyanwu was elected to the Senate. She ran as a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). She represented the Owerri Zone in Imo State, Nigeria.

She explained her move into politics by saying, "I felt I could do more than just watch and complain about things that were not going right." She felt her years of reporting on government and social issues had prepared her to help find solutions.

Her Work as a Senator

After becoming a Senator, she joined several important committees. These included committees on Women and Youth, States & Local Government, and Health.

In May 2009, a report said she had worked on bills about workplace safety. She also worked on a bill to stop discrimination against Nigerians. The report described her as a strong voice in debates and active in her committees.

Chris Anyanwu successfully ran for re-election as Senator for Imo East in April 2011. She ran under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) party.

Chris Anyanwu's Family Life

Chris Anyanwu is married to Casmir Anyanwu. They have a daughter named Ihuoma and a son named Nduwueze. Her children live in the United States. She is a devoted Christian.

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  Chris Anyanwu, a Nigerian journalist and politician.