Bishop Okeke, Oko poly rector Awuzie, Okunna, others bag AMTY Awards

Anambra state twenty-nine distinguished citizens, two indigenous companies and two schools in the state have been honoured at the 2026 edition of the 5th Anambra Man of The Year (AMTY) Award.

Valerian Maduka Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, was honoured the ‘Person of the Decade,’ because of his legacy of faith, education, social transformation and pastoral charity.

Others are Chioma Irene Awuzie, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, who was named ‘Public Servant of the Year”, Stella Okunna, the Nigeria first female professor of Mass Communication (Lifetime Achievements Award) and Joy Egolum, Corporate Affairs Manager (East) of Nigeria Breweries Plc, honoured ‘Corporate Leader of the Year’.

Other awardees are Obinna Ufudu (Corporate Man of the Decade); Anthony Obele (Business Icon of the Year); Chinyere Muoneme, SAN, (Inspiring Woman of the Year); Akai Egwuonwu (Investor of the Year); Archbishop Onyeka Nzekwesi (Real Estate Icon of the Year); among others.

Two educational institutions – St. John Vianney Science College, Ukwulu, and Mater Amabulis Secondary School, Umuoji, were named ‘Best Private School of the Year, and ‘Best Public School of the Year, respectively; while two indigenous companies – Onegrid Energies and SunnyPeace Haircare Products were also named ‘Startup Company of the Year’ and ‘Brand of the Year.’

Earlier, Joe Ezigbo, the Chairman of the occasion, said the AMTY award was more than a plaque or certificate, but also the society’s acknowledgement that excellence, character and service matters, stressing that those who dedicate their lives to making the society better deserve to be celebrated.

He said, “The progress of every society depends on people who chose to solve problems instead of complaining about them. Our schools become better because those involved refused to lower standards.

“Our businesses thrive because visionary entrepreneurs create opportunities where others see opportunities. Communities become peaceful because because responsible leaders place service above self.

“Every award presented represents years – sometimes decades – of sacrifices that the public rarely sees. One of the greatest gifts we can offer is to celebrate people while they are alive – to encourage them to continue doing good and to inspire others to follow their examples.”

He reminded the award winners that the honour was not the end of the journey, rather, a reminder that the society expects even more from them.

Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, his keynote address themed: “Unstoppable Anambra: Leveraging Human Capital for Global Impact,” said that Anambra’s greatest export has always been its human capital.

He said that the state has consistently produced giant minds who shape nations; adding that the people have developed a deep culture to think, build, develop, innovate and lead anywhere on earth.

He congratulated the awardees, saying that their strides in different life endeavours are a testament that Anambra is unstoppable and will remain unstoppable.

The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Okeke, expressed happiness over the award, and said the award would spur him into greater deeds for God and humanity.