ASATU youths unveil role models in 179 Anambra communities
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The youth wing of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) has unveiled role models in 179 communities across Anambra State.
The models were unveiled Saturday during their end of the year meeting at the ASATU Secretariat inside the state Government House, Awka.
They were also conferred Community Youth Development Awards (CYDA) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the progress and development of their communities.
During the unveiling, President-General of ASATU Youths, Comrade Ken Okoli, said the move was in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) governance model that involves communities as stakeholders in development drives.
“This is tapping into the governor’s ideas because when you get individuals who are doing voluntary work for the development of their communities, it is deepening that PPCP model. That is why we appreciated them.
“We designed this award to identify and celebrate those making significant positive impacts in their communities. The process through which we nominated them was rigorous but we are happy that no community was left behind.”
Okoli explained that the awards were not given in expectation of gifts but in appreciation of what the recipients had done in their various communities. According to him, celebrating them will inspire youths to contribute to the development of communities.
“We believe that by celebrating them, we inspire our young ones to emulate their values and strive to make a positive impact in their communities.
“As role models they will stand as icons of hope to the future of the state. This maiden edition is hoped to be continued as an annual event.”
“What is significant about this is that the young people will look up to them and be motivated when they get to their age.”
One of the recipients, Chief Emeka Uzoeto, represented by Prof. Dennis Aribodor, expressed his gratitude to the youths for recognizing his contributions to his Azia community.
He acknowledged that the award would motivate him to continue working tirelessly towards the development of community and state.
