By Emeka Chiaghanam
ASTUC Youth launches grassroots campaign to promote
shared values as leaders urge young people to reject crime, embrace hard work
and build stronger communities
The youth wing of the Anambra State Association of Town
Unions Council (ASTUC) has honoured 11 outstanding community role models from
Anambra East Local Government Area as part of a wider campaign to encourage
young people to embrace integrity, discipline and responsible leadership. The
event, held at the Anambra East Local Government Secretariat in Otuocha, also
marked the local launch of the group's value orientation campaign aimed at
promoting the 12 Core Values of Onye Anambra across communities and schools.
The ceremony brought together traditional ruler, political
leaders, community representatives, youth organisations and residents from the
11 communities that make up Anambra East. Alongside the presentation of awards,
the programme featured the recitation of the 12 Core Values of Onye Anambra,
the official launch of the "We Believe in Anambra" music album,
cultural entertainment and the symbolic flag-off of the value orientation
campaign for the local government area.
Celebrating people whose lives
reflect the values communities cherish
Addressing participants, ASTUC Youth President-General,
Comrade Ken Okoli, said the initiative
was designed to recognise individuals whose lifestyles, commitment to service
and dedication to community development have made them examples for others to
follow.
He said every successful society identifies the values it
considers important, builds consensus around them and deliberately promotes
them across generations. According to him, the awards were not simply about
honouring successful people but celebrating those whose conduct reflects
honesty, patriotism, discipline, justice, hard work and love for humanity.
Comrade Okoli said the programme was inspired by Governor Chukwuma Soludo's decision to integrate values into governance through his administration's development agenda. He described the approach as a significant shift that encouraged the youth organisation to identify shared values and celebrate individuals who demonstrate them in their everyday lives.
Rather than focusing on status or wealth, he said, the organisation
deliberately selected role models whose contributions have positively
influenced their communities, expressing hope that their stories would inspire
many more young people to pursue meaningful lives built on character and
service.
Campaign to take value
orientation into schools and communities
Comrade Okoli explained that the recognition ceremony forms
only one part of a broader campaign that will now move into schools across
Anambra East. He said ASTUC Youth had already identified schools in the area's
11 communities where pupils and students would be taught the core values the
organisation hopes will shape future generations.
Those values, he said, include being God-fearing, truthful,
patriotic, self-reliant, disciplined, just, tolerant and respectful of all
people regardless of tribe or religion. They also promote dignity of labour,
community spirit, respect for human life and genuine love for others.
He said teaching those principles from childhood would help
produce adults who naturally practise them throughout their lives. According to
him, the campaign is intended to build stronger communities by encouraging
positive attitudes rather than merely condemning social problems after they
emerge.
Responding to suggestions that the initiative could be viewed as politically motivated, Comrade Okoli rejected the claim, insisting that the programme was driven solely by the desire to build a stronger value system capable of benefiting future generations across Anambra State.
Leaders urge young people to
reject shortcuts and embrace honest success
The traditional ruler of Aguleri, His Royal Majesty Dr
Michael Idigo, commended the ASTUC Youth leadership for initiating what he
described as a commendable programme. He urged the organisers to sustain the
initiative and encouraged the award recipients to continue living up to the
expectations placed upon them as recognised community role models.
In his remarks, Chairman
of Anambra East Local Government Area, Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Chinweze, appealed to
youth leaders across the area's 11 communities to intensify efforts to reorient
young people towards productive and lawful pursuits.
He expressed concern over the growing acceptance of internet
fraud and other criminal activities among some youths, warning that such
behaviour should never become part of the area's identity or cultural heritage.
Instead, Hon. Chinweze said communities should celebrate
young people who succeed through education, farming, entrepreneurship, vocational
skills and other legitimate means of earning a living. Recognising such
individuals, he added, would encourage others to pursue honest success rather
than quick wealth through illegal activities.
The council chairman also called on residents to support ongoing environmental sanitation efforts, stressing that maintaining a clean environment requires the participation of everyone. He said sanitation inspectors would continue encouraging cleaner neighbourhoods while promoting environmental responsibility as part of everyday life.
Recognition expected to inspire
more young people to serve their communities
Member representing Anambra East Constituency in the Anambra
State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Obi Nweke, who was honoured for his
selflessness and contribution to his constituency described the event as a
reflection of broader efforts to empower young people across the state.
He praised Governor Soludo for implementing youth-focused
initiatives, including employment opportunities based on merit and the One Youth,
Two Skills programme, which he said had equipped many young people with
practical skills and economic opportunities.
Hon. Nweke said recognising community role models would
inspire others to contribute positively to society. He encouraged the recipients
to remain committed to serving their communities, noting that public
recognition often motivates others to follow similar paths of integrity,
leadership and selfless service.
Communities urged to invest in
today's youth for a stronger tomorrow
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the occasion and
President-General of Aguleri Community, Hon. Chike Nwabia, described the
investiture as an investment in the future of Anambra East rather than a
routine award ceremony.
He said young people represent the present strength of every
society and should be empowered to participate actively in governance,
community development and nation-building. While acknowledging the challenges
confronting many youths, including unemployment and social pressures, he said
communities must continue creating opportunities that reward good character and
responsible leadership.
Hon. Nwabia noted that the honoured role models came from
different walks of life, including farming, business, education, skilled trades
and volunteer service. He urged them to mentor younger people, speak against
cultism, cybercrime and drug abuse, and work closely with government,
traditional institutions and town unions to build peaceful and progressive
communities.
As the ceremony concluded,
ASTUC leadership reaffirmed its commitment to taking the value orientation
campaign into schools and communities across Anambra East. The organisation
said it hoped that celebrating integrity, service and hard work would help
inspire a generation that measures success not only by personal achievement but
also by the positive difference it makes to society.
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