AWKA, October 19, 2026 — The Anambra State Town Union Council Youth Wing (ASTUC Youth) has honoured ten outstanding personalities from Awka North Local Government Area for their contributions to community development, urging young people to shun illicit drugs, embrace positive values and become responsible citizens.
The award ceremony, held on October 18, 2026, at Abogu Primary School Field, Mgbakwu, was part of the organisation’s ongoing campaign to promote the 12 core values of Onye Anambra and celebrate individuals whose exemplary conduct and contributions serve as inspiration to younger generations.
The event attracted community leaders, youth representatives and award recipients, who emphasised the importance of moral discipline, responsible leadership, entrepreneurship and sustained investment in youth development.
Speaking at the ceremony, ASTUC Youth President, Comrade Ken Okoli, disclosed that Awka North was the 16th local government area visited in the organisation’s role-model recognition campaign, which commenced on June 16, 2026.
Okoli said the initiative was designed to identify and celebrate individuals whose contributions to their communities reflect the values and aspirations of Ndi Anambra, particularly the vision of making the state the light of the nation.
He urged young people to promote responsible citizenship, integrity and transformative leadership in their communities, stressing that embracing positive values was essential to the overall development of the state.
The ASTUC Youth president also presented books inspired by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision for Anambra State to the award recipients. He called on them to reconvene every August 27 to celebrate their contributions as stakeholders in the development of the state.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion and President-General of Isuaniocha Community, Mr Ifeadi Afam, said the programme was intended to encourage young people to embrace good conduct and moral discipline while discouraging illicit drug use and other social vices.
Afam urged the award recipients to remain exemplary in their respective fields, including education, business and politics, noting that young people needed positive role models whose lives they could emulate.
He challenged the honourees to support youth development through skills acquisition programmes, the provision of working tools and the creation of opportunities that would enable young people to achieve economic independence.
He also called on the government to sustain grassroots development initiatives that would enable young people to participate more meaningfully in community affairs.
Similarly, the Youth Mayor of Awka North, Comrade Davidson Egwuonwu, described role models as important pillars of society whose actions inspire younger generations through hard work, integrity, courage, perseverance and service to humanity.
Egwuonwu said the initiative went beyond the presentation of awards, describing it as an opportunity to encourage young people to acquire practical skills, pursue education, uphold positive values and reject social vices.
One of the award recipients, Chief Tony Onyeagolu, urged recognised personalities across Awka North to take greater responsibility for mentoring young people, particularly in respect for elders, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.
Onyeagolu warned about the dangers of hard drugs to the future of young people and commended ASTUC Youth for recognising individuals making positive contributions to their communities. He also called for unity, teamwork and inclusiveness in efforts to empower the younger generation.
Meanwhile, Chief Michael Mmadumelu, who represented Mr Chukwunonso Obichebe of Mgbakwu Community, described Obichebe’s recognition as well deserved, citing his contributions to community development and residents’ welfare.
Mmadumelu said Obichebe had renovated a classroom block at Central School, Mgbakwu, which had reportedly remained dilapidated for more than a decade, and assisted in fencing Community Secondary School, Mgbakwu.
He added that Obichebe had donated two motorcycles to support community security operations and organised charity programmes for widows and orphans for more than five years, distributing bags of rice and clothing to beneficiaries.
According to Mmadumelu, Obichebe was also partnering with the community to construct nurses’ quarters at its health centre and had donated a duplex for use as a community hall.
He described the award as a meritorious recognition of Obichebe’s sustained commitment to improving community infrastructure, strengthening security and promoting residents’ welfare.
The recognition exercise is part of ASTUC Youth’s broader campaign to identify and celebrate exemplary individuals across Anambra State, with the aim of inspiring responsible citizenship and encouraging young people to contribute meaningfully to society.
The organisation has also indicated plans to sustain the initiative through a platform that will connect recognised role models, encourage continued community service and strengthen the promotion of positive values across the state.