Anambra Town Union Youths Fete Ex-NBA Chair, 11 Others For Community Development
By Chuks Eke
It was a glorious moment for 12 exuberant youths, including Barrister Jideofor Okongwu—a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anaocha branch, one of the eight NBA branches in Anambra State—as the Youth Wing of the Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC) honoured them as role models and illustrious sons of the Anaocha Local Government Area (LGA).
Okongwu and his fellow recipients received the ‘Anambra Community Role Model Award’ in their respective communities and capacities, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to local development, the LGA, Anambra State, and youth empowerment.
The other awardees—who included the Chairman of Anaocha LGA, Romanus Ibekwe; the APGA House of Representatives candidate for the Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency, Chukwudi Oli; the 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 selected from the 10 constituent communities of Anaocha LGA: Neni, Agulu, Aguluzuigbo, Akwaeze, Obeledu, Nri, Adazi-Enu, Adazi-Ani, Adazi-Nnukwu, and Ichida.
Addressing the audience shortly after receiving his award at the Neni Civic Centre, former NBA Chairman Jideofor Okongwu urged young people to prioritise discipline, resilience, and hard work to reach the pinnacle of their careers and become useful to themselves, their families, their communities, and society at large.
Okongwu thanked the organisers for the honour and dedicated the award to members of his community, adding that the recognition would motivate him to undertake further development initiatives.
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 embarked on this community development journey and inspires us to keep pushing boundaries, innovating, and contributing positively to our communities. It is a reawakening of shared values and a commitment to societal development.”
Earlier in his opening address, the President-General of the ASTUC Youth Wing and convener of the event, Ken Okoli, explained that the group’s agenda aligns with the key pillars of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration: security, law and order, economic transformation, human capital development, governance and value systems, and the environment.
Okoli stated that the youth association is committed to playing its part in improving the state by revitalising core values among the people of Anambra (Ndi Anambra).
“We are here today in Anaocha LGA because ASTUC Youth believes that the future of Anambra cannot be built on infrastructure alone. It must also be founded on values, character, responsible citizenship, and positive examples for our young people,” he said.
“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 by. They call on 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 bring 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, but the young people who look to your example and choose a better path.
“We therefore ask you to continue to mentor, encourage, and support the youths of your communities,” Okoli urged.
He commended the state governor for creating opportunities for young people through the ‘1Youth2Skills’ initiative, the ‘Solution Innovation District’, and various employment schemes across state ministries, agencies, and parastatals. He also made a passionate appeal to Anambra youths to support all APGA candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion and State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, advised youths to reject the “get-rich-quick syndrome” and focus on legitimate paths to financial success so they can truly enjoy their wealth when it arrives. He assured the association of the state government’s continued support for its activities.
Other award recipients who spoke at the event, including Chukwudi Oli, Dr Gerald Ozor, and Romanus Ibekwe, expressed gratitude to ASTUC Youth for the recognition, describing it as further motivation to invest in youth empowerment and community development. They urged young people to remain focused and diligent in pursuing their goals.
The event was also attended by traditional rulers from across the council area and thousands of youths under the umbrella of the Adazi-Enu Youth Assembly.
