ASTUC Youths: Community Role Model Awards Subject to Compliance With Core Values
By David Okpokwasili | Ichie Times
The youth wing of the Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC) has declared that its community role model awards are not permanent, warning that recipients risk losing the honour if they fail to uphold the council’s 12 core values.
The National President of ASTUC Youth Wing, Comrade Ken Okoli, stated this at Ojoto during the presentation of community role model awards to distinguished individuals from the seven communities in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Okoli listed the council’s 12 core values as the fear of God, patriotism, self-reliance, dignity of life, discipline, truth, dignity of labour, community, justice, liberty, religious and ethnic tolerance, and love.
He explained that the awardees were selected to serve as ambassadors of the value reformation agenda championed by the council and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
According to him, ASTUC reserves the right to withdraw the awards from any recipient found wanting in character or whose conduct contradicts the values and principles being promoted by the council.
Okoli disclosed that the council would establish a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure that the awardees continued to demonstrate the expected standards of conduct.
He urged young people to emulate individuals who have established legitimate sources of income, built successful businesses and raised their families on the foundation of discipline, hard work and positive social values.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, the chairman of the occasion and immediate past Deputy Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Mr Ifeanyi Anakuba, stressed the importance of recognising individuals who demonstrate diligence, integrity and commitment to responsible living.
Anakuba said celebrating people who uphold positive values and shun social vices would help strengthen the society’s moral and cultural foundation.
He commended the ASTUC Youth Wing for taking the lead in recognising men and women whose lifestyles reflect goodwill, hard work and positive contributions to their communities.
The award recipients were Chiefs Emeka Okonkwo, Chidi Ogbuefi, Ifeanyi Onwuepeneta, Boniface Obi, Ogochukwu Chukwuneke, Chinedu Okonkwo and Engr. Nnaemeka Nwamara, representing Ojoto, Awka-Etiti, Akwu-Ukwu, Alor, Nnokwa, Nnobi and Oba communities, respectively.
Other personalities recognised for their leadership and community service included the Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Mr John Ilogbenu; the member representing Idemili South State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Ebuka Igwe; and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu.
Also recognised were the immediate past Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Mrs Amaka Obi; the Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Kate Omenugha; and the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Dr Nwabufo Nwankwo, among others.
The event also featured the official endorsement of Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu’s political ambition by the national body of the ASTUC Youth Wing.
