By Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC) Youth Wing has honoured six distinguished personalities drawn from the six communities in Njikoka Local Government Area, urging them to remain steadfast in upholding Anambra State’s core values and inspiring younger generations through integrity, hard work and selfless service.
The event, tagged “Honouring Community Role Models 2026 in Njikoka LGA,” was held at the Njikoka Local Government Council Secretariat in Abagana. It attracted government officials, community leaders, youth organisations, stakeholders and residents who gathered to celebrate individuals whose lives exemplify integrity, diligence and dedicated service to society.
The recipients of the Community Role Model Award were Hon. Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo (Enugwu-Ukwu), High Chief Humphrey Iloh (Abagana), Chief Cosmas Agagbo (Abba), Chief Innocent Uzochukwu Obelle (Nawfia), Chief Christopher Chinweuba Agbim (Nimo) and Comrade John Bosco Nkem Ementa (Enugwu-Agidi).
Speaking at the ceremony, the ASTUC Youth President-General, Comrade Ken Okoli, said the initiative was designed to encourage young people to embrace honesty, discipline and dedication while preserving the rich cultural identity of Anambra State.
According to him, the award recipients were carefully selected because their lifestyles reflect the values the state seeks to promote and provide examples worthy of emulation.
“Communities thrive when they have respected role models to inspire younger generations. Societies without people of proven character risk losing their moral direction,” Okoli said, adding that the honourees had become symbols of the values that define Ndi Anambra.
He noted that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration had consistently placed governance and value orientation at the centre of its Solution Agenda, stressing that ASTUC Youth had embraced the vision from its inception.
He further reminded the award recipients that the framed portraits presented to them symbolised the 12 Core Values of Anambra State and were not merely ceremonial gifts.
The Youth Mayor however, urged them to remain faithful to those ideals throughout their lives, warning that the recognition carries responsibility and could be withdrawn if the values are abandoned.
Okoli encouraged the honourees to remain proud ambassadors of Anambra wherever they find themselves, saying their conduct should continue to inspire younger generations.
He expressed confidence that Anambra has a significant role to play in Nigeria’s future, insisting that sustainable national development must begin with strong moral values at the community level.
Earlier, the ASTUC Youth Leader for Njikoka Local Government Area, Comrade Okwaji Chidike Nweke, welcomed the President-General, members of the state executive and other guests.
He congratulated the award recipients and urged them to continue living exemplary lives capable of inspiring others.
Nweke also advised young people to shun activities capable of jeopardising their future and instead embrace honesty, diligence and responsible living.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Chinedu Umeadi, represented by his younger brother, Chief Uche Justin Umeadi, described the recognition of local achievers as an important means of promoting unity and civic responsibility across Njikoka communities.
He reminded youths that genuine success comes through patience, consistency and hard work, stressing that lasting wealth is built through honest effort, wise investment and perseverance rather than shortcuts.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Chief Udorji Amedu, congratulated the award recipients and urged them to sustain the spirit of industry and integrity for which Anambra people are renowned.
He encouraged them to support Governor Soludo’s Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative by contributing to community development projects, including roads, schools and healthcare facilities.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Clem Aguiyi, commended ASTUC Youth for promoting values that strengthen communities and complement the state’s development efforts.
He urged the organisation to sustain the initiative and charged the newly honoured role models to remain worthy ambassadors of their communities and Anambra State through exemplary conduct and continued commitment to selfless service.
