The Youth Wing of the Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC) has announced plans to facilitate a bill on core values and responsible citizenship for Ndi Anambra, with the proposed legislation expected to be sponsored at the Anambra State House of Assembly.
President of the ASTUC Youth Wing, Comrade Ken Okoli, disclosed this on Thursday, October 1, at Nnewi North Local Government Area during the council’s Independence Day celebration and valedictory session.
Okoli said the proposed bill would give legislative backing to the 12 core values the youth organisation is promoting across the state, including fear of God, patriotism, self-reliance, discipline, respect for life, truth, liberty, justice, community, dignity of labour, religious and ethnic tolerance, and love.
He explained that ASTUC Youth would not directly sponsor the bill but would facilitate its presentation by a member of the House of Assembly.
According to him, Hon. Anayo Okpaleke, whom he said he had known for more than four decades, had already indicated his willingness to sponsor the bill when the youth wing was ready.
“I have discussed with him since last year, letting him know that ASTUC Youth under my watch will facilitate a bill for him to sponsor. He said when I am ready, I should let him know. I am ready,” Okoli said.
He said the proposed legislation was part of a wider effort by the youth wing to make values and responsible citizenship part of everyday life in Anambra, rather than leaving them as mere slogans.
Okoli said the initiative was also inspired by what he described as the emphasis placed on governance and values by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo. “Governance is not a one-man thing. It is a collective effort,” he said, adding that ASTUC Youth had chosen to play an active role in shaping the society and preparing young people for responsible citizenship.
He said the organisation’s ongoing tour of the 21 local government areas was designed to identify and celebrate people whose lives reflect the values it wants young people to emulate.
The Nnewi North event was the 13th local government visited by the group since the programme began in June, Okoli said.
He also used the occasion to present the Nnewi North council chairman, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, with copies of I Believe in Nigeria, Volumes 1 and 2, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. Okoli said the books were presented alongside the portrait, award and I Believe in Anambra book given to recognised role models.
He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s future and urged Ndi Anambra to see themselves as having an important role to play in the country’s development. “Those who still have tiny faith in this country should know that our faith in this country is unshakable,” he said.
The event also provided an opportunity for the Nnewi North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, to take stock of his two years in office.
Anazodo said his administration had focused on areas including education, agriculture, road construction, empowerment, waste management, erosion control and fire service.
He acknowledged that financial and time constraints made it impossible to address every challenge facing the council, but said his administration had prioritised the most pressing needs.
The Chairman also sympathised with residents of Nnewichi and other parts of Nnewi affected by flooding, assuring them that they would not be abandoned.
He thanked his political appointees, council officials, legislators and stakeholders for their cooperation, while expressing appreciation to Governor Soludo for his support and his stated vision of transforming Nnewi into a smart city.
Also speaking at the event, the APGA candidate for Nnewi North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Paul Ileka, described youths as leaders of today rather than leaders of tomorrow.
Ileka, who was among those honoured, thanked ASTUC Youth for the recognition and urged young people to become more involved in leadership at different levels.
He encouraged youths to contest elections and seek positions in their communities, saying they should not be discouraged by the possibility of losing.
According to him, participation itself provides valuable experience and demonstrates to the people that young Nigerians are ready to take responsibility.
He said young people seeking leadership positions should see their involvement as part of the process of making Anambra better.
On his political ambition, Ileka said the ASTUC Youth Wing had endorsed his candidacy and expressed confidence that the support of Nnewi North youths would help him in the 2027 election.
Another award recipient, Hon. Chijioke Nwizugbe, a member of the Nnewi North Congress of Councilors, said the recognition came as a surprise because he had simply been participating in youth and community activities without expecting an award.
He urged young people to become involved in activities within their communities and local government areas, saying meaningful leadership begins with participation at the grassroots.
The event brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, youth representatives and other stakeholders as ASTUC Youth continued its statewide campaign on community role models, shared values and responsible citizenship.
