There was a powerful convergence of excellence, resilience and ambition at the 2026 Anambra Man of the Year (AMTY) Awards as twenty eight outstanding individuals, alongside institutions and organisations, were honoured for their contributions to education, business, finance, manufacturing, law, medicine, governance, entrepreneurship, technology, entertainment, philanthropy, religion and community development.
Held at the Stanel Dome, Awka, the Anambra State capital, on July 18, 2026, the ceremony was anchored on the theme, “Anambra Unstoppable” a phrase that has come to represent the strength, determination, resilience and enterprising spirit of the people of the state.
For the organisers, “Anambra Unstoppable” is more than a slogan. It is a mindset and a movement a declaration that the people of Anambra can overcome challenges, create opportunities and achieve excellence through courage, unity, hard work and perseverance.
It was in this spirit that AMTY, now in its fifth year, brought together some of the state’s most distinguished sons and daughters, recognising their achievements and contributions to society.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity to reflect on the values that have continued to drive the progress of Anambra people across Nigeria and the world.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Joe C. Ezigbo, said the awards represented society’s acknowledgement that excellence, character and service mattered.
According to him, the awardees came from different professional backgrounds, but were united by a common commitment to excellence. “We celebrate men and women from diverse walks of life. While your profession may differ, your stories share one common thread: a commitment to excellence.”
Prof. Ezigbo noted that every award represented years, and in some cases decades, of sacrifice that the public might never have seen.
He added that the ceremony was also a reminder that hard work, integrity, competence and consistency remained indispensable in a world increasingly obsessed with instant success.
“In a world increasingly obsessed with instant success, this ceremony sends a powerful message: there are no substitutes for hard work, integrity, competence and consistency,” he said, urging young people to resist the temptation to pursue quick wealth without creating value.
The Chairman further challenged the awardees to see the recognition as a call to greater service.
He said history would judge them not only by what they had achieved before receiving the honours, but also by what they chose to do afterwards.
He urged them to mentor younger generations, support worthy causes, promote ethical leadership and use their influence to build stronger institutions.
‘Anambra Cannot Be Stopped’.
For the Co-Founder of the AMTY Awards, Chief Chiedu Chikelue, the theme of the event captured the spirit of a state that continued to make progress despite challenges.
“An unstoppable Anambra means Anambra cannot be stopped. It will continue to get better in commerce, industry and education. It is God’s own state and that is why it is the light of the nation.”
The Co- founder, who reflected on five years of hosting the awards, said passion and a commitment to merit had remained the driving forces behind the initiative.
According to him, AMTY was not established as a transactional award platform but as an avenue to recognise genuine achievement. “We are extremely passionate and it is not driven by any material gain. In fact, it is extremely hard because it is about merit.”
He explained that maintaining integrity in the awards process had not always been easy, particularly in an environment where some awards were perceived as transactional.
“But people have looked at us, our pedigree, the commitment, the zeal and the passion. We maintain integrity, and the future is so bright. We are excited,” he added.
Chief Chikezie also said the awards were designed to create connections and opportunities for Anambra people, particularly those in the diaspora. “We need to bring our people home, especially those in the diaspora who have done so well in helping humanity, and bring those businesses home.”
“That is what we are doing. A lot of contacts are being exchanged.”
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Sr. Prof. Adaoma Igwedibia, also urged the awardees to continue leading by example and making Anambra proud wherever they found themselves.
Human Capital as Anambra’s Greatest Export
Delivering the keynote address titled “Unstoppable Anambra: Leveraging Human Capital for Global Impact,” the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, said the state’s greatest resource had always been its people.
He traced Anambra’s history of producing influential thinkers and nation-builders to figures such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Chinua Achebe and Prof. Dora Akunyili.
“Anambra’s greatest export has always been human capital,” he said, adding that the state had consistently produced people who had shaped nations through politics, literature, public service, science and innovation.
According to him, the success of Anambra people was not accidental but rooted in a distinct culture built around solidarity, enterprise and apprenticeship.
He identified three core pillars of the Anambra identity: “Onye aghana nwanneya,” the spirit of solidarity; “Aku ruo uno,” the consciousness of bringing investments and success back home; and “Igba Boi,” the apprenticeship system built on diligence, loyalty and hard work.
Prof. Anyaehie, however, said these traditions must be modernised to meet the demands of a changing world.
He called for the transformation of the philosophy of Aku ruo uno into structured venture capital for local start-ups, while also advocating the institutionalisation of the apprenticeship system in a way that would protect both the apprentice and the master.
He further called for a deliberate strategy to convert the success of Anambra people abroad into opportunities for development at home.
“If our people excel abroad, it is proof of our DNA. Our goal should not be to build walls to keep them in, but to build bridges of brain gain that connect them back home,” he said.
The recognition for some of the award recipients, the honours represented more than personal achievement; they were also a recognition of the people and communities that had supported their journeys.
Music Icon of the Year, Mr M and Revelation, described the award as a special blessing.
“God has used it as a blessing to many people. This award is so special to me and my family because it is coming from Anambra State,” he said.
For Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award, the recognition was an opportunity to encourage others to continue contributing to the development of society.
She thanked the organisers for the honour and urged young people seeking to establish themselves in the music industry, particularly gospel music, to remain committed to their calling.
“Keep serving God, keep working and do not stop what you know how best to do. Follow God’s direction and do not go after fame,” she advised.
The Honourees
Among those honoured at the ceremony were His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, who received the Person of the Decade Award; Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc, who was named Woman of the Year; and Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award was Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, OON, SAN and Life Bencher.
Other awardees included Chief Obinna Ufudo, Corporate Person of the Decade; High Chief Amb. Anthony Obele, Business Icon of the Year; Chinyere Moneme, SAN, Inspiring Woman of the Year; and Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, who was named Public Servant of the Year.
Others were Dr. Ibeh Ezekiel Ifeyi, Businessman of the Year; Chief Akai Egwuonwu, Investor of the Year; Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, Banker of the Year; Archbishop Onyeka Nzekwesi, Real Estate Icon of the Year; Mr. John Ezeobi, Manufacturer of the Year; and Chief Pius Njoku, Oil and Gas Investor of the Year.
The awards also recognised Tochukwu Okigbo, Corporate Icon of the Year; Iyom Joy Egolum, Corporate Leader of the Year; Prof. Ngozi Egbuna, Academia of the Year; Kanayo Eni-Ikeh, CEO of the Year; Chief Christian Okonkwo, Entrepreneur of the Year; and Felix Okwudili Obika, Logistics Person of the Year.
Others included Prof. Obiageli Lilian Orogbu, Legislature of the Year; Chimezie Daniel Obimma, Rising Star of the Year; Ken Erics Ugo, Best Artist of the Year; Mr M and Revelation, Music Icon of the Year; Dr. Odiraa Nwankwor, Philanthropist of the Year; Prof. Beze Afam Adogu, Diaspora Person of the Year; Kenechukwu Ndunwa, Innovator of the Year; Fr. Gabriel O. Anochilionye, School Administrator of the Year; and Sir Willie Nwokoye, Community Service Icon of the Year.
Institutions and organisations were also recognised. They included Onegrid Energies, Start-up Company of the Year; Sunnypeace Haircut Product, Brand of the Year; Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji, Best Public School of the Year; and St. John Vianney Science College, Best Private School of the Year.
Beyond the speeches and presentations, the ceremony was enlivened by dance performances and cultural displays by students of St. John Vianney Science College, while guests were treated to food and other hospitality.
As the curtains fell on the fifth edition of the AMTY Awards, the central message of the evening remained clear: Anambra’s greatest strength lies not only in its wealth, institutions or industries, but in the people who continue to rise, innovate, serve and create opportunities wherever they find themselves.
That, perhaps, is the true meaning of an “Unstoppable Anambra.”
