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By Chuks Eke
It was a glorious moment for 12 exuberant youths, including Barrister Jideofor Okongwu, a one-time Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Anaocha branch, one of the eight branches of NBA in Anambra State as Anambra State Town Unions Council, ASTUC Youth Wing feted them as role models and illustrious sons of Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.
Okongwu and other award recipients bagged the ‘Anambra Community Role Model awards’ in their various communities and capacities for their outstanding contributions to the development of their various communities, the LGA, Anambra State, as well as youth empowerment.
Other awardees who also included the Chairman of Anaocha LGA, Romanus Ibekwe, APGA House of Reps candidate for Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency, Chukwudi Oli, Pioneer President-General of ASTUC Youth, Osita Kingsley Ozalagba, Dr Gerald Ikechukwu Ozor, Chisom Ugha, Obiadi Ayodele, Chief Cletus Obianodo, Patrick Onyedum, John Ezeanidike and Cosmas Eweni were chosen from the 10 communities comprising Neni, Agulu, Aguluzuigbo, Akwaeze, Obeledu, Nri, Adazi-Enu, Adazi- Ani, Adazi-Nnukwu and Ichida that constitute Anaocha LGA.
Addressing the youths, shortly after receiving the award held at the Neni Civic Centre, the ex-NBA Chairman, Jideofor Okongwu, urged the youths to prioritise discipline, resilience and hard work in order to get to the pinnacle of their careers and become useful to themselves, their families, communities and the society at large.
Okongwu thanked the organisers for the honour while dedicating it to members of his community, adding that the award will spur him to engage in more developmental activities for the community.
He said, “Receiving this recognition is an absolute privilege, and I am deeply grateful to the organisers and everyone involved in putting this incredible event together. An honour like this is rarely the work of just one person. It reflects the dedication of an entire team, the trust of our people, and the support of the community.
“This milestone serves as a powerful reminder of why we started the community development journey and inspires us to keep pushing boundaries, innovating, and contributing positively to the development of our communities. It’s a reawakening of shared values and dedication to societal development.”
Earlier in his opening speech, the President-General of ASTUC Youth Wing and the Convener, Ken Okoli, said the agenda of the group revolves around the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration’s pillars which include security, law and order, economic transformation, human capital development, governance and value system, and environment.
Okoli said the youth association is committed to contributing their quota in making the state better through the reawakening of value system in the consciousness of Ndi Anambra.
“We are here today in Anaocha LGA, because ASTUC youth believes that the future of Anambra cannot be built by infrastructure alone. It must also be built on values, character, responsible citizenship and positive examples for our young people.
“We are here to celebrate the 12 core values of Onye Anambra: ‘Fear of God, Patriotism, Self-Reliance, Discipline, Life, Truth, Liberty, Justice, Community, Dignity of Labour, Religious and Ethnic Tolerance, and Love’.
“These are not just words to recite. They are values to believe, practise and live. They call us to fear God, love our state, work hard, live disciplined lives, respect human life, speak the truth, uphold justice, serve our communities, respect honest labour, tolerate one another and lead with love.
“These are the values we want our young people to carry into their families, schools, businesses, communities and public life.
“From the 10 communities of Anaocha LGA, we are honouring distinguished men whose lives and contributions can inspire the next generation.
“The greatest value of today’s award will not be the plaque you receive. It will be the young people who look at your example and choose a better path.
“We therefore ask you to continue to mentor, encourage and support the youths of your communities, Okoli advocated.
He commended the state governor for the opportunities given to the young people through the ‘1youth2skills’ programme, ‘Solution Innovation District’ and other employment opportunities from various state ministries, agencies and parastatals.
He passionately appealed to Anambra youth to support all APGA candidates in the 2027 general election.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Afam Obidike who is also the state Commissioner for Health, advised youths to quit “get rich quick syndrome” and focus on legitimate ways of financial success in order to enjoy the wealth when it eventually comes.
Obidike assured the association of the State government continued support in it activities.
Some other award recipients who also spoke at the event, Chukwudi Oli, Dr Gerald Ozor and Romanus Ibekwe, appreciated ASTUC youth for the recognition which they described as a motivation to invest more in youth empowerment and community development.
They urged young people to remain focused and hardworking to achieve their set-goals in life.
The event equally has in attendance, traditional rulers from the council area and thousands of youths under the umbrella of Adazi-Enu Youth Assembly.
