IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOE ANATUNE THE BIG BRAND BUILDER THREE YEARS GONE. By: Dr Henry Obiozor

WATCH A COLLECTION OF BURIAL VIDEOS AND TRIBUTES TO THE GREAT BRAND BUILDER

Remembering Joe Anatune: A Heart That Still Beats Among Us

A Collection of Burial videos and Tributes. Three Years Down the Memory Lane.

It’s been three years since Joe Anatune left this world on April 30, 2022—but for those who knew him, worked alongside him, or simply felt his warmth from across a room, it feels like he never truly left.

Some people walk through life quietly but leave footprints that never fade. Joe was one of those people.

Known fondly as “Big Joe”, he had a way of making you feel seen, heard, and understood. He wasn’t loud or flashy, but his presence filled any space. He had that rare mix of intellect, empathy, and genuine kindness that’s hard to describe—but impossible to forget.

Joe Anatune was a thinker, a leader, and a dreamer. But above all, he was a deeply good man.

Born Josiah Chukwudi Anatune on April 28, 1960, in Awa, Orumba North LGA, Anambra State, Joe grew up in a humble, God-fearing home. His father, Chief Gabriel Anatune, was a respected community figure who raised him with strong values. Joe showed early signs of brilliance—shining in school, graduating with honours in Marketing from the University of Nigeria, and setting the stage for a career that would influence many.

In the world of advertising and communications, Joe was a pioneer. From his time at Dawn Functions, where he rose to become Executive Director, to founding the successful b3 Communications in 2003, Joe’s creativity and strategy set him apart. But what truly made him stand out was his belief that marketing wasn’t just about selling—it was about telling stories that mattered.

He brought that same belief into public service and community development. Joe was a strong voice in the League of Anambra Professionals, and played pivotal roles in political movements like the Anambra Alliance and the Soludo Promoters Forum. He believed in a better Anambra, and he didn’t just talk about it—he worked for it.

His close collaboration with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, was built on mutual respect and shared vision. When he was appointed Managing Director and CEO of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) in 2022, it was a recognition of both his expertise and his heart for service. Sadly, that chapter was cut short, but not before Joe made it clear—he was ready to transform how Anambra communicated with its people.

But Joe Anatune wasn’t just the ‘communications guy.’ He was the man who always had time for others. A mentor. A friend. Someone whose door—and heart—was always open. He gave advice not to impress, but to help. He listened deeply, guided gently, and believed in people fiercely.

Even in his quiet moments, Joe taught us something. He showed us how to handle pressure with calm, how to lead without ego, and how to care—really care—for the people around you.

At home, he was a proud and devoted family man. He shared a strong and loving bond with his wife, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Anatune, and was a proud father to Engineer Chinedu Anatune and Dr. Ada Anatune. His children reflect the values he lived by—humility, brilliance, and a quiet confidence that speaks volumes.

Joe was also loved and celebrated in his hometown, where he was honoured with a chieftaincy title—a fitting tribute to a man who never forgot where he came from.

Today, his legacy continues. The Joe Anatune Memorial Essay Competition now inspires a new generation to think critically and write boldly—just as Joe would have loved.

We miss Joe. We miss his smile, his voice, his steady hand in moments of doubt. But we carry him with us—in our memories, our work, our conversations, and in the standards of excellence and integrity he set so naturally.

Joe Anatune may be gone in body, but in every meaningful conversation, in every bold idea, in every act of kindness, he lives on.

Rest well, Big Joe. You were one of a kind—and you always will be.