By: Goodluck E Adubazi, Abuja.

In the quiet village of Ndiagueke, Ulepa Ntezi, where red earth roads wind between farmlands and family compounds, a young boy once spent his days observing nature, nurturing a curiosity that would lead him far beyond the boundaries of his rural upbringing. That boy, Zack Onyebuchi Onwe, born October 1, 1992, would eventually become one of Nigeria’s rising digital communicators, a voice steadily shaping conversations around community development and public health.

Today, at 33, Onwe is not just a media professional; he is a digital mobilizer, a storyteller, and the force behind one of his community’s most influential grassroots networks.

A Childhood Grounded in Service

Raised by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Onwe Nome alongside three siblings — Chikaodili, Blessing, and Onyinyechi — Zack grew up in an environment where responsibility to one’s community was more than an ideal; it was a way of life.

His early education took him through Community Primary School Ulepa Ntezi and Community Secondary School Ntezi, before completing secondary education at Padopads Harmony Secondary School in Makurdi. Curious about the natural world, he pursued a degree in Zoology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

But destiny had other plans.

A Scientist Who Found His Voice in Storytelling

While studying Zoology, Onwe discovered a different passion — not in laboratories, but behind cameras and microphones. Fascinated by how media could inform, inspire, and mobilize people, he pivoted toward journalism and digital communications.

He began building a portfolio across Nigerian media:

TV Producer at African Independent Television (AIT)

Radio Producer with Unity FM

Health Communications Lead at TalkHealth Real Media Limited

In these roles, he created health campaigns that reshaped public behavior and navigated the challenges of Nigeria’s complex media environment.

Today, he serves as Digital Communications Officer at ActionAid Nigeria, crafting and amplifying messages that spotlight community struggles, mobilize citizens, and drive social reform.

A Digital Movement Born from a Village

In 2013, long before “online communities” became trendy, a 21-year-old Zack created a Facebook group he called the Ntezi People’s Forum (N-PeF). His mission was simple: connect Ntezi sons and daughters at home and abroad around shared problems and possible solutions.

What started as a Facebook group became a lifeline.

By 2018, while finishing university, he migrated the platform to WhatsApp, enabling more direct engagement. The group quickly became a digital town square — a place where residents flagged emergencies, organized community projects, and resolved disputes.

And in 2025, after a decade of growing influence, N-PeF became a registered nonprofit, expanding into programs that address:

Education
Health awareness
Water access
Civic participation

For many in the community, it was the moment an online conversation became a real-world institution.

A Vision Rooted in Impact

At the heart of Zack Onwe’s work is a belief that communication is a catalyst for transformation.

From rural WhatsApp groups to national advocacy campaigns, he is part of a rising generation of Nigerians proving that digital tools are not just for entertainment — they are powerful engines for local development and social justice.

Colleagues describe him as “focused,” “strategic,” and “unshakably committed to community,” while those in Ntezi see him as a bridge between traditional leadership and the digital age.

A Rising Voice for a New Nigeria

Zack remains single and deeply committed to the causes he champions. His journey — from a child in Ulepa Ntezi to a media professional influencing national conversations — is emblematic of the new wave of young Africans reshaping their societies from the ground up.

As Nigeria continues grappling with health disparities, governance gaps, and evolving digital landscapes, voices like Zack’s are becoming increasingly essential.

And for the people of Ntezi, he is more than a communicator.
He is proof that one voice — amplified by passion, purpose, and digital tools — can transform a community.