By Ukpa Ewa
The Anambra State Town Union Councils Youth Wing (ASTUC Youth) has unveiled plans to facilitate the sponsorship of a proposed bill on core values and responsible citizenship for Ndi Anambra by a member of the State House of Assembly.
The youth body also honoured the Mayor of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, and other community stakeholders for their contributions to community development.
President of ASTUC Youth, Comrade Ken Okoli, disclosed this on October 1, 2026, during the group’s celebration of Nnewi North community role models and shared values at the Nnewi North Local Government Headquarters, held as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
‘We will facilitate, not sponsor, the bill’
Okoli clarified that ASTUC Youth would not directly sponsor the proposed bill but would engage a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly to sponsor it and facilitate the legislative process.
He said the proposed legislation was designed to promote core values, responsible citizenship and greater participation in governance among Ndi Anambra.
According to him, the initiative was driven by the need for collective participation in governance and inspired by what he described as the visionary leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
Okoli said ASTUC Youth had confidence in the governor and believed that governance should be seen as a collective responsibility involving government and citizens.
Anazodo, others honoured
At the event, ASTUC Youth presented a community service and leadership award to Anazodo.
The organisation also presented Independence gifts, including copies of I Believe in Nigeria Volumes One and Two and I Believe in Anambra.
Architect Chukwuma Paul Ileka, Prince Chinedu Orizu and Chijioke Nwizu were also honoured for their contributions to community development.
Okoli commended Anazodo for rising from the grassroots to become an ambassador for young people, urging him to sustain his commitment to youth empowerment and community development.
He equally challenged young people to become more actively involved in leadership and community affairs.
Anazodo lists two-year achievements
Responding, Anazodo expressed appreciation to ASTUC Youth for the recognition and highlighted some of the interventions recorded during his two-year tenure.
He listed education, agriculture, road construction, empowerment, waste management, erosion control and fire services among the areas his administration had focused on.
While acknowledging the constraints posed by limited time and resources, Anazodo said his administration prioritised what it considered the most pressing needs of residents.
He also sympathised with residents of Nnewichi and other parts of Nnewi affected by flooding, assuring them that the affected communities would not be abandoned.
The mayor commended Governor Soludo for his efforts towards transforming Nnewi into a smart city.
Ileka charges youths to seek leadership
Also speaking, the APGA candidate for Nnewi North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly election, Dr. Chukwuma Ileka, thanked ASTUC Youth for the recognition.
Ileka encouraged young people to seek leadership opportunities wherever they found themselves, urging them to occupy leadership positions in their communities and other spheres of public life.
He stressed that even when young people failed in their first attempts at leadership, the experience gained would prepare them for future responsibilities.
Nwizu urges grassroots political participation.
Similarly, the Leader of Nnewi North Congress of Councillors, Chijioke Nwizu, said he was surprised by the award, noting that the recognition had encouraged him to do more.
Nwizu advised young people to participate actively in politics, emphasising that meaningful youth participation should begin at the grassroots and extend to the local government and wider society.
Tags: ASTUC Youth, Anambra, Nnewi North, Echezona Anazodo, Youth Leadership
