By Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Youth Wing of the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC) has honoured six distinguished personalities from Dunukofia Local Government Area for their exemplary contributions to community development and service to humanity.
The recognition ceremony, held at the Dunukofia Local Government Headquarters, Ukpo, brought together community leaders, government officials, security personnel, youths and other stakeholders to celebrate individuals who have distinguished themselves through selfless service and positive impact on their communities.
The award recipients were Chief Okafor Nnamdi Chibuzor of Ukpo; High Chief Frederick Ezika of Umunachi; Chief Olisa Adinnu of Umudioka; Chief Igboanugo Christian Mmaduka of Ukwulu; High Chief Dr. Amb. Vincent Udobi of Ifitedunu; and Hon. Onyemaobi Augustine Nonyelum of Nawgu.
Speaking at the event, the Youth Mayor of Dunukofia LGA, Comrade Chijoke Egbuna, thanked the various communities for their support in making the programme a success.
Egbuna urged youths across the communities to shun crime and other social vices, embrace brotherly love and contribute positively to the development of their communities.
He also expressed appreciation to the award recipients for accepting the recognition, describing them as worthy examples for the younger generation.
The Chairman of the occasion, Sir Dr. Izuchukwu Nwabueze, represented by Ezeabalu Ikechukwu, said the transformation agenda of the Anambra State Government under Governor Prof. Charles Soludo could only be achieved when every segment of society, particularly the youths, contributes meaningfully to the realisation of the vision of a livable, lovable and prosperous Anambra.
He described the recognition as significant, saying it demonstrated that young people were becoming increasingly committed to social, moral and economic rebirth.
“This recognition is significant because it shows that the youths are ready for the social, moral and economic rebirth initiated by the Soludo administration. It also implies that some youths are living exemplary lives, leading to this worthy recognition,” he said.
He commended the leadership of ASTUC, under Comrade Ken Okoli and his team, for providing a credible grassroots platform for mobilising young people for community service, leadership development, cultural preservation and civic responsibility.
He urged the ASTUC Youth Wing to remain a dependable development partner to the Anambra State Government by translating government policies into measurable community actions.
He further charged the youths to promote peace, security and community vigilance; champion value reorientation; support community development; promote entrepreneurship and skills acquisition; strengthen civic participation; preserve the cultural heritage; build future leaders; and promote education and innovation.
Also speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anambra State Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, appealed to youths to stay away from crime, cultism and other forms of criminality.
Ikenga highlighted the Police Community Relations Committee (POCACOV) initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the campaign was designed to prevent cultism and other social vices through community-based collaboration.
He stressed that the fight against crime could not be left to the police alone, urging individuals, community leaders and youths to work with security agencies to build safer communities.
According to him, the police were prepared to collaborate with ASTUC and other stakeholders in promoting positive values and preventing crime at the grassroots.
“The younger generation is watching us. Character, behaviour and values are the foundation of becoming a role model. We must continue to lead by example,” Ikenga said.
The Mayor of Dunukofia Local Government Area, Barr. Chijoke Ozumba, also charged youths to uphold honesty, accountability, discipline and positive leadership.
Ozumba reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable community development, while urging youths to shun cultism, crime and other social vices.
He encouraged them to promote brotherly love, support neighbourhood security initiatives and become responsible stakeholders in their communities.
The council boss disclosed that his administration had introduced programmes, including free JAMB registration and skills-acquisition initiatives, but expressed concern over the low turnout of youths.
He attributed the poor participation partly to the influence of social vices among some young people and urged the youths to take advantage of available empowerment opportunities.
In his address, the President-General of the ASTUC Youth Wing, Comrade Ken Okoli, called on Anambra youths to return to the core values of honesty, hard work, self-reliance and communal living.
Okoli congratulated the award recipients and commended the Dunukofia Local Government administration for promoting youth inclusion and recognising citizens who had distinguished themselves in community service.
He said the recognition of role models was aimed at promoting excellence, inspiring the younger generation and encouraging greater commitment to community development.
The ASTUC Youth Wing leader also highlighted what he described as the 12 Core Values of Onye Anambra, which he said were essential to sustaining the identity of Ndi Anambra as the “Light of the Nation.”
According to him, the values are Fear of God, Patriotism, Self-Reliance, Discipline, Life, Truth, Liberty, Justice, Community Development, Dignity of Labour, Religious and Ethnic Tolerance, and Love.
Okoli urged the award recipients and youths to imbibe the values and make them guiding principles in their individual lives and communities.
He also appreciated the various communities for their support and urged them to actively participate in POCACOV and other community-based security initiatives aimed at combating crime and promoting peace in Dunukofia.
Responding on behalf of the award recipients, Hon. Onyemaobi Augustine Nonyelum expressed gratitude to the ASTUC Youth Wing for the recognition, describing the honour as an encouragement to do more in the service of humanity and community development.
Other highlights of the event included cultural dance performances and refreshments.
