By Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
Three Distinguished Mega Star Role Models have been honoured by the Youth Wing of the Association of Town Unions (ASTUC) for their outstanding philantropic and community development prowess.
News Echo reports that these personalities who were selected from the 179 communities of Anambra State are Dr. Chinedu Umeadi (Anambra Central), Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife (Anambra North) and Chief Ebuka Onunkwo (Anambra South).
The event described as one of the first beginning to usher in a continued award presentations to deserving individuals as Mega Star Role models within the three senatorial zones each year was held at old Government House Awka, Saturday, 22nd Nov 2025.
In his remark, the Convener and His Youthfulness Chairman, Hon Ken Okoli disclosed that “ASTUC Youths have guiding principles, which we identify as our value system. They include fear of God, patrotism, self reliance, discipline, life, truth, liberty, justice, community, dignity of labour, religious/ethnic tolerance, and love.
“There was need for us to get individuals whose lifestyle symbolize those values that we identify. That was what made us to embark on this journey in search of role models.
“Anambra has 179 communities. We asked youth leaders to get an individual who will stand as role model from each town. After that circle, we narrowed it down to one role model per local government area. Finally, youth leaders from 7 LGAs in each of the three senatorial districts elected one person to represent their senatorial zone.
“At that final voting, High Chief (Dr) Chinedu Umeadi emerged as role model from Anambra Central, Very Rev. Fr. Basil Ekwunife emerged from the North senatorial district and His Royal Majesty, Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo emerged from the South senatorial zone. That was how we came about the 3 role models for 2025. It was not what I did alone; it was a collective agreement of all the youth leaders in all the 179 communities in the state.”
Okoli, who congratulated the trio on their election as role models for 2025, said that the three personalities distinguished themselves in various areas of human endeavour, and urged youths of the state to copy from the newly elected role models.
Describing the unique attributes of the three, the ASTUC PG said that the role models, besides distinguishing themselves in their areas of calling, and becoming rich through hard work, stand out in the life of charity, benevolence and selflessness. We want to tell ndi Anambra that we are solidly behind them. Anambra is our own, we urge everyone to show love and support to the growth of Anambra, he added.
Anambra North Awardee, Very Rev Fr Dr Basil Ekwunife who expressed appreciation to NYCN said “I’m really humbled to have recieved this award today. I never expected something of this kind because the opportunity that God gave me, and which I just used to the best of my capacity, came freely – I never paid anything for it. So, for this kind of gift, some form of reward, I feel elated”.
“I want to simply express my deep gratitude to NYCN. My first attraction was the transparency behind this process. I commend the way and pray that you continue in that ambiance to select somebody as a role model – it is to cage somebody. It is a very big cage because you are no more free to operate like an ordinary human being”.
Adding, the Spiritual Director advised youth council not to politicise this mega star award but stand on fairness and merit. “Never misuse or neglect any opportunity God may have given to you. If you are careless about it, you may have been careless with something”.
Speaking after receiving his plaque as role model, Dr Ebuka Onunkwo, who is a top APGA contender in the August, 2025 Anambra South senatorial by-election, hailed the youth body for organizing the programme, while assuring that he would continue to promote such values that made youths consider him as their role model – including massive youth employment, scholarships to indegent persons, building houses for widows, and most importantly, getting rich without cutting corners.
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n the same vein, High Chief Dr Chinedu Umeadi who emerged the Anambra Central Role Model, represented by his younger brother,
Also, High Chief Dr Chinedu Umeadi, represented by his younger brother, promised to uphold values that made the youths to nominate him as role model. He expressed gratitude to ASTUC for finding him worthy as the mega role model for Anambra south senatorial district.
Earlier in his remark, Governor Charles Soludo Represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Information in the state, Dr. Law Mefor who described the values needed among the youths as Uche (sense) Uchu (diligence and Egwuchukwu ( Fear of God). He noted that these virtues are necessary in achieving success as a youth. “For you to survive you need to have sense, apply wisdom as well.
Accordiing to Mefor, diligence, doggedness as well as working hard and smart are what we need in everyday life. He called on the youths to tap on the grace of God and shun idol worship because only God can bring help and Salvation.
Integrity (Egwuchukwu) is a choice to do the right thing when ans where no one is looking.
He asserted that Soludo is solidly behind youths pointing out that he has given the old Government will be the Silicon Valley of Anambra and the final destination of the world.
The Commissioner equally tasked the youth representatives present to ensure that the benefits from the state government are well received as youths are seen as leaders of today and not tomorrow.
He noted that the lives of the three role models identified the 4th key pillar of the Solution Agenda, which he said, bothers on good governance and value system.
Meanwhile, highpoint point of the event was the launching of music Album dedicated to ASTUC as well as dinner party to celebrate the victory of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
