The Anambra State Town Union Council ASTUC Youths President, Comrade Ken Okoli has led the campaign of ‘I Believe in Anambra’ to Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ urging the body to help educate citizens on the Core values of Onye Anambra that makes the State the Light of the Nation.

Speaking as a Special Guest and August Visitor at the NUJ Anambra State Council September Congress at Awka, Comrade Ken Okoli urged journalists to join the crusade and tell the world that Ndi Anambra is the Light of the Nation.

According to him, We as Ndi Anambra are Light of the Nation. We are destined to show this light everywhere we go or stay. ‘Onye Anambra’ is a metaphoric way of passing the message of the identity of whom we are. It is not only about being born or living in Anambra but it is about responsible citizenship and Transformative Leadership as the Light of the Nation”.

Okoli urged every person of Anambra origin or resident to believe in himself or herself by imbibing the 12 core values which distinguishes an Anambra citizen from other citizens of the country.

“The 12 Core Values are: Fear of God: Recognizing a higher spiritual authority and maintaining a strong moral compass. Patriotism: Showing deep loyaglty, love, and commitment to the progress of the homeland. Self-Reliance: Embracing personal enterprise, ingenuity, and the drive to provide for oneself legitimately. Discipline: Exercising self-control, orderliness, and personal accountability in daily actions

“The fifth one is Life: Respecting the sanctity and preservation of human life.

Truth: Upholding honesty, transparency, and integrity over deceit. Liberty: Valuing personal freedom alongside civic duties and mutual respect. Justice: Promoting fairness, equity, and the rule of law within communities. Community: Maintaining a strong communal spirit, kinship, and social responsibility

“The 10th core value is .Dignity of Labour: Believing in hard work, legitimate wealth creation, and success through process rather than shortcuts. Religious and Ethnic Tolerance: Living peacefully with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Love: Fostering unity, empathy, and neighborly care for the common good.

“Believe in yourself and Value honest work so that you don’t depend on anyone to live. Wether you are a medical doctor or sweeper on the street, none is bigger than the other so long as you are earning a living legitimately and engaged in a healthy lifestyle. Nobody should look down on the other person’s job. To upgrade ,Learn a skill because skill is a currency in the world of work.

“ASTUC Youth has embarked on value Reorientation and Reformation. Teaching Youths to avoid get rich quick syndrome like Okeite but they should rather embrace hardwork and dignity of labor. Yearly, we carefully select and honor a role model for the youths in each Local Government through a rigorous process per community. We honor persons with verifiable background who became successful in their career by making honest living known by their community. We are also ready to retrieve our Role model award if the person indulges in any form of misconduct against the 12 core values,” Okoli stated.

Moreso, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners NUP State Chairman, Comrade Dr. Anthony Ugozor was also present at the September Congress to felicitate with NUJ Anambra State Council as the union commenced 2026 Press week urging Journalists to keep on the fight for survival in Nigeria where he described as a jungle compared with other nations in more developed countries of the world.

“I wish to state that NUP wishes you all the best during and after this press week. Wherever you find yourself and in whatever you are doing thank God for sustaining you. Our country Nigeria is a jungle. If you travel outside Nigeria, you can time yourself whenever you are going anywhere because they have various workable means of transportation unlike here in Nigeria. Those countries are not richer than Nigeria but just like Chinua Achebe said ‘the trouble with the country is not lack of wealth but the trouble of leadership ‘ . Let us pray to be alive to witness true leadership,” said Ugozor.

Earlier, the Chairman of NUJ, Anambra State Council Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD urged all journalists in the state to give full support to the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year Award and Press Week especially on September 10, 2026 the D Day.

Odogwu said that the success of the event depends largely on the collective support and participation of journalists across print, broadcast, and online media.

” Let the visit of Wife of the President to Anambra State not deter any member of NUJ from being in our program. Even if you are assigned to cover the Wife of the President’s visit, do it quickly and rush to our event “.

Odogwu therefore called on media houses, NUJ chapels, partners, and stakeholders to mobilize and ensure the program is a success. “As the conscience of society, journalists must show solidarity and ownership of this event. Let us all come out en-masse on September 10th to make the 2026 Press Week and Man of the Year Award memorable,” he said.

The Council Coral anniversary planning Committee Chairman, Francis Ekpone Emeka assured that for the 2026 NUJ Anambra 35 years anniversary themed “NUJ Anambra, 35 Years On: Reporting with Truth, Responsibility and Service’

adequate arrangements had been made to host a befitting event that will be a pride to the journalism profession in Anambra State.

“This year’s honorees include High Chief Martin Nwabueze, Ichie Akubudike Umudioka, as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year; Prof. Charles Ofoegbu for the Lifetime Man of the Year Award; Hon. Obby Nwankwo, Okwuego, for Outstanding Public Service; Mr. Mmaduabuchi Sylvester Nwosu for Outstanding Philanthropist of the Decade; Chief Romanus Chika, Juju Ugbenu, for Most Outstanding Philanthropist; Chief Arinze Onwuzuruike, Aridon, for Outstanding Humanitarian; Engr. Raphael Ezeike for Outstanding Community Development Icon; and Rev. Fr. Innocent Affusim for Outstanding Medical Professional Service.

“For journalists, Comrade Victor Agusiobo will receive the Long-Term Outstanding Professional and Leadership Service Award, while Comrade Chinyere Fessy-Okoye and Chukwudi Chukwuenyem will also be honoured. The Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism prize money has also been increased to N500,000 this year.

“Dignitaries expected at the grand finale include Governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Chief Judge Hon. Justice O. M. Anyachebelu, Commissioner for Information Dr. Law Mefor, NUJ National President Comrade Alhassan Yahya, over 1,000 NUJ members, traditional rulers, Mayors, Presidents-General and other stakeholders,” he said.

Highlights of the Congress include presentation of the Handbooks on the 12 core values of Onye Anambra by the ASTUC Youth President to the NUJ State Council Chairman for onward distribution to all NUJ chapels, Press Briefing by the Coral anniversary planning Committee Chairman, Drinking, Eating and Dancing competitions.

However, Chibuzo Obidike won the drinking competition while feanyi Uchenna of Abs won the Food competition.Chika Nnabuife of UNIZIK FM and Chukwuebuka of ANN chapel won in the dancing competition.