By Emeka Chiaghanam
The
Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC) Youth Wing has honoured six
distinguished personalities from the six communities in Njikoka Local
Government Area, urging them to continue living by Anambra's core values and
inspiring younger generations through integrity, hard work and selfless
service.
The colourful ceremony, tagged "Honouring Community
Role Models 2026 in Njikoka LGA," took place at the Njikoka Local
Government Council Secretariat in Abagana. It attracted government officials,
community leaders, youth organisations, stakeholders and residents who gathered
to celebrate individuals whose lives have become examples of integrity, hard
work and selfless service.
Those recognised as Community Role Models were Hon. Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo of Enugwu-Ukwu, High Chief Humphrey Iloh of Abagana, Chief Cosmas Agagbo of Abba, Chief Innocent Uzochukwu Obelle of Nawfia, Chief Christopher Chinweuba Agbim of Nimo and Comrade John Bosco Nkem Ementa of Enugwu-Agidi.
Addressing the gathering, ASTUC Youth President-General,
Comrade Ken Okoli, said the award was created to encourage young people to
pursue lives built on honesty, discipline and dedication while protecting the
rich cultural identity of Anambra State. He explained that the recipients were
carefully selected because their lifestyles reflect the values the state seeks
to promote and represent examples worthy of emulation.
Okoli said communities thrive when they have respected role
models to inspire younger generations, warning that societies without people of
proven character risk losing their moral direction. According to him, the
recipients have become symbols of the values that define Ndi Anambra and should
continue to uphold those standards wherever they find themselves.
He noted that Governor Chukwuma Soludo's administration has
consistently placed governance and value orientation at the centre of its
Solution Agenda, adding that ASTUC Youth fully embraced that vision from the
beginning. He stressed that Anambra belongs to its young people, making it
their responsibility to safeguard the state's reputation by promoting the
principles that have long distinguished its people.
The ASTUC Youth leader reminded the award recipients that
the framed portraits presented to them were more than ceremonial gifts. He
described them as lasting reminders of the 12 Core Values of Anambra State and
urged the honourees to remain faithful to those ideals throughout their lives.
He cautioned that the recognition carries responsibility and warned that anyone
who abandons those values could have the honour withdrawn.
Encouraging the awardees, Okoli said they should never be
ashamed of their identity as Ndi Anambra. According to him, people who fail to
define themselves leave others to define them instead. He urged them to
continue setting examples that younger generations can proudly follow.
He also expressed confidence that Anambra has a special role
to play in Nigeria's future, insisting that lasting national progress must
begin with strong moral values at the community level. He said the state could
only fulfil that responsibility if its people remained united around the
principles of integrity, accountability and service.
He concluded by expressing optimism that Anambra's culture
of integrity would continue to spread beyond the state, saying he remained
convinced that the values of Ndi Anambra could contribute greatly to Nigeria's
development.
Earlier, the ASTUC Youth Leader for Njikoka Local Government
Area, Comrade Okwaji Chidike Nweke, welcomed the President-General, members of
the state executive and other guests. He congratulated the award recipients and
encouraged them to continue living exemplary lives that would inspire others.
He also advised young people to avoid activities capable of destroying their
future and instead embrace honesty, diligence and responsible living.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Chinedu Umeadi, who was
represented by his younger brother, Chief Uche Justin Umeadi, described the
celebration of local achievers as an important way of strengthening unity and
encouraging civic responsibility across Njikoka communities. He reminded youths
that genuine success comes through patience, consistency and hard work,
stressing that wealth is built gradually through honest effort, wise investment
and perseverance rather than quick fixes.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment
and Tourism, Chief Udorji Amedu, congratulated the award recipients and urged
them to sustain the spirit of industry and integrity for which Anambra people
are known. He encouraged them to embrace the state's Public-Private-Community
Partnership initiative by supporting projects such as roads, schools and
healthcare facilities in their communities and partnering with government for
greater development.
In his remarks, the
Commissioner for Environment, Dr Clem Aguiyi, praised ASTUC Youth for promoting
values capable of strengthening communities and supporting the state's
development efforts. He encouraged the organisation to continue its good work
and urged the newly honoured role models to remain worthy ambassadors of both
their communities and Anambra State through their conduct and continued
commitment to service.
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