By Emeka Chiaghanam
The Anambra State Town Unions Council Youth Wing, ASTUC
Youth, has honoured four community leaders from Ekwusigo Local Government Area
for their contributions to their communities, using the occasion to encourage
young people to embrace good character, hard work, service and responsible
citizenship.
The recognition took place at the Ekwusigo Local Government
Council Secretariat in Ozubulu, bringing together community leaders, youths and
other stakeholders.
The honourees were Chief Mukosolu Okosieme of Ozubulu, Sir V.N. Dike of Oraifite, Chief Okwudili Agbodike of Ihembosi and Chief Sir Nnaemeka Onyeanusi of Ichi.
Celebrating values young people
can follow
ASTUC Youth President-General, Comrade Ken Okoli, said the programme was part of the
organisation's wider effort to identify and celebrate people whose lives and
community contributions could provide practical examples for younger
generations.
Okoli said ASTUC Youth operates through a grassroots
structure and usually informs local government leaders when visiting their
areas. According to him, the Ekwusigo visit provided an opportunity to combine
engagement with the local council with the recognition of individuals who
reflect the values the organisation wants young people to uphold.
He listed the organisation's 12 Core Values of Onye Anambra as the fear of God, patriotism,
self-reliance, discipline, truth, liberty, justice, community, dignity of
labour, religious and ethnic tolerance, and love.
He said the values were closely connected to Anambra's
identity as the “Light of the Nation”,
adding that young people should understand what that identity means in everyday
life.
For Okoli, education also has a role beyond academic
achievement.
“Going to school has three major things: skill acquisition,
character development and building knowledge,” he said, while stressing the
importance of citizenship education in preparing young people to become
responsible members of society.
He said ASTUC Youth had so far visited 12 of the state's 21
local government areas and planned to reach the remaining nine before the end
of October.
The aim, he said, was to take the message of responsible
citizenship and community values across the state.
Ekwusigo chairman receives
youth recognition
The Ekwusigo Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chimezie James Obi, was also
honoured by ASTUC Youth for his leadership and community development efforts.
Receiving the recognition, Obi thanked the organisation and
said he entered office with a clear purpose to serve the people of Ekwusigo.
“I don't believe in media propaganda. I am a practical
person,” he said, explaining that he preferred to let his work speak for
itself.
Obi said he was particularly surprised that the youths had
noticed his administration's efforts despite his limited media presence. He
also recalled receiving commendation from Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo,
who, according to the chairman, described him as “an extraordinary human
being.”
The chairman said he had turned down several awards during
his tenure because he did not want recognition to influence his decisions or
create expectations.
He urged young people to remain focused and committed to
whatever they pursue, whether in business, public service or other areas of
life.
Youth skills and local
opportunities
Okoli also commended Obi for what he described as efforts in
youth security, skills development and grassroots empowerment.
He said practical skills should form an important part of
youth development and expressed hope that continued support for skills training
could help establish Ekwusigo as a recognised centre for shoemaking and fashion
design.
“I look forward that in the next four years, if you want to
make shoes or sew clothes, you think of Ekwusigo LGA,” Okoli said.
He also expressed the hope that whoever succeeds Obi would
build on the work of the current administration and achieve more.
Role models urged to live by
the values
Speaking on behalf of Chief Mukosolu Okosieme, his cousin, Hon. Emmanuel Uchendu, incoming
councillor representing Ozubulu Ward III, said young people had an important
role to play in building stronger communities.
Okosieme, who has supported young people through empowerment
initiatives and other community interventions, said good character could
encourage youths to work hard and contribute positively to society.
He said the recognition would further encourage him to
support young people and remain involved in community development.
Okoli, meanwhile, reminded the four honourees that the
recognition came with a responsibility to continue setting examples.
He pointed to the portrait gifts presented to them, which
carried the 12 core values.
“The responsibility we are giving them is to stand as
examples to the young people,” he said.
He urged them to allow the values to guide their conduct and
decisions.
Youth leader praises ASTUC
initiative
In his vote of thanks, the Ekwusigo LGA Youth Leader, Ejike Oramadike, thanked ASTUC Youth
for bringing the programme to the area and recognising people whose
contributions could inspire younger members of the communities.
Oramadike said the event showed that young people were
paying attention to positive contributions within their communities and were
willing to celebrate them.
He commended the ASTUC Youth leadership for promoting
discipline, self-reliance, patriotism, dignity of labour, truth and community
service.
He also congratulated the four honourees and urged them to
regard the recognition as a call to continue setting positive examples.
Oramadike thanked the local government leadership, community
leaders, youths and other participants for supporting the programme. He urged
Ekwusigo youths to remain united, disciplined and committed to the development
of their communities.
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