By Izunna Okafor, Awka
It was an evening of glitz, glamour and recognition of excellence in Awka, the Anambra State capital, as some of the state’s finest and most accomplished citizens, professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders and institutions were celebrated at the fifth edition of the Anambra Man of the Year (AMTY) Awards.
Held at the Stanel Dome Conference Centre, Awka, the high-profile event which was spiced up with cultural displays, and musical performances brought together prominent personalities from different walks of life, including business, academia, banking, public service, law, religion, education, manufacturing and corporate leadership, among others, with 29 distinguished individuals, two indigenous companies and two schools honoured for their contributions to the development of society.
The July 18th event, themed “Unstoppable Anambra: Leveraging Human Capital for Global Impact” not only celebrated the awardees, but also served as a platform to reflect on the remarkable contributions of Ndi Anambra to the growth and development of Nigeria and the world at large.
Among the biggest highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to the various winners during which Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the first female professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) Paul University Awka, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, who has distinguished herself as a scholar and public servant.
Similarly, the Person of the Decade award was conferred on the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke, in recognition of his decades-long contributions to faith, education, pastoral charity and social transformation; while Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN and founder of WACOL, also received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Also honoured was the Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, who was named Woman of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the financial services sector, corporate governance, leadership and service to society.
Onwughalu, who has more than 32 years of experience in the financial services industry and has held top Management positions in institutions including legacy Mainstreet Bank Limited and Skye Bank Plc, joined the board of Fidelity Bank in December 2020 and became its Chairman on January 1, 2026.
Speaking after receiving the award, she described it as particularly meaningful because it came from her home state, saying it reminded her of the values that had guided her professional journey, including integrity, resilience, service and excellence.
Onwughalu dedicated the recognition to her mentors, colleagues, teams and institutions that had supported her career, while expressing the hope that her story would inspire more young people, especially young women, to pursue their dreams with courage, discipline and confidence.
The Business Icon of the Year award went to High Chief Anthony Ikenna Obele, Chairman of Mekens Integrated Nigeria Ltd., while Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, was named Public Servant of the Year.
Spectacularly, the Chairman/CEO of Zobis Electrical Wires & Cables Ltd., Engr. John Ezeobi was conferred with the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year award, during which he also announced plans for a major industrial city project in Anambra which is expected to create over 22,000 jobs, among other manufacturing initiatives he envisions to “stop Chinese from using Nigeria as dumping ground for their products.”
At the same AMTY stage, Iyom Joy Egolum, the Corporate Affairs Manager (East) at Nigerian Breweries Plc, was honoured as Corporate Leader of the Year, in recognition of her corporate leadership and advocacy for sustainability and community-focused initiatives aligned with the company’s Winning with Nigeria agenda.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Occasion and Founder of Falcon Corporation, Prof. Joe Ezigbo, said the significance of the AMTY Awards went beyond the presentation of plaques and certificates, describing the awards as society’s acknowledgement that excellence, character and service matter.
While stressing that those who dedicate their lives to making society better deserve to be celebrated, Prof. Ezigbo said the awardees, despite coming from different professional backgrounds, were united by their commitment to excellence and their determination to solve problems, create opportunities and contribute to the development of society.
He also reminded the recipients that the recognition should not be seen as the end of their journey, but as a call to greater responsibility and higher expectations from the society that had honoured them.
Delivering a keynote address, the Keynote Speaker and Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, who dissected the theme of the event “Unstoppable Anambra: Leveraging Human Capital for Global Impact,” challenged Ndi Anambra to harness the state’s greatest asset for greater global impact.
Prof. Anyaehie argued that Anambra’s greatest resource had always been its human capital, rather than oil, land or physical infrastructure.
According to him, the state has over the years produced individuals who have made remarkable contributions in politics, literature, public service, business, academia, medicine, industry and other fields, citing personalities such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Chinua Achebe and Prof. Dora Akunyili as examples of the state’s tradition of producing people whose influence transcends its geographical boundaries.
He said the challenge before the state was now to convert that human capital into sustainable economic and global influence by investing more deliberately in innovation, technology, education and entrepreneurship.
The Vice-Chancellor called for greater support for innovative industrialisation, particularly in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and auto-parts manufacturing, while urging government and the private sector to invest more in the state’s young people who are already making strides in technology, digital businesses and startups.
He also advocated stronger channels for diaspora investment, noting that the Anambra diaspora possessed not only financial resources but also valuable knowledge, expertise and global connections that could be deployed for the development of the state.
Anyaehie further called for the modernisation of the state’s traditional socio-economic strengths, including the principles of “Onye aghana nwanne ya” (leaving no one behind); “Akụ ruo ụlọ” (think home philosophy); and the “Ịgba Bọị” (apprenticeship system), arguing that these values could be adapted to meet the demands of a modern economy.
He particularly advocated structured apprenticeship programmes, technical and vocational education, technology boot camps and stronger support for small and medium-scale enterprises, while urging the state to build stronger connections between academia, industry, communities and the diaspora.
For the Vice-Chancellor, an “Unstoppable Anambra” must be one where successful people deliberately create opportunities for others, businesses generate employment, professors translate research into practical solutions and leaders deliver measurable results.
He therefore challenged the awardees to see their recognition as a responsibility to the younger generation, urging each of them to mentor at least 10 young people and help create pathways for others to succeed.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chairman of the AMTY Planning Committee, Sr. Prof. Adaoma Igwedibia, said the AMTY initiative had remained committed to identifying, celebrating and immortalising outstanding sons and daughters of Anambra, as well as friends of the state, whose contributions have made visible and lasting impact in society.
According to her, this year’s theme, “Unstoppable Anambra,” reflected the resilience, enterprise and determination of the people of the state, noting that from business and industry to academia, governance, arts and other fields, Ndi Anambra have continued to distinguish themselves at home and across the world.
She urged the awardees to see themselves as custodians of the Anambra story and to continue using their platforms and achievements to inspire others.
Other awardees at the event included Chief Obinna Ufudo (Chairman Atiat Ltd.), who received the Corporate Person of the Decade award; Chinyere Moneme, SAN, who was honoured as Inspiring Woman of the Year Chief Akai Egwuonwu (Chairman of Stine Industries Nig. Ltd.), who emerged Investor of the Year; Dr. Ifeyi Ezekiel Ibeh (GCEO Swiss Metro Group Ltd.) who was honoured as the Businessman of the Year); Prof. Ngozi Egbuna (WTO Chair, Nigeria), who was named Academia of the Year; and Chief Christian Okonkwo (MD/CEO of C-Energy Oil and Gas Ltd.), who emerged Entrepreneur of the Year.
Others included Archbishop Onyeka Nzekwesi (Founder of Pine Leaf Estate) who was named Real Estate Icon of the Year; Prof. Oby Orogbu, who received the Legislator of the Year award; Chief Pius Njoku (Chairman Pillars Group) who was named Oil and Gas Investor of the Year; Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu (Financial Expert), who was honoured as Banker of the Year; Tobechukwu Okigbo (Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria) who was named Corporate Icon of the Year; Kanayo Eni-Ikeh (MD/CEO Atiat), who emerged the CEO of the Year; Chikezie Daniel Obimma (Founding Partner NICCOM LLP), who was honoured as Rising Star of the Year; Ken Erics Ugo (Nollywood Actor/Musician) who bagged the Best Artiste of the Year); Mr. M and Revelation, honoured as Music Icon of the Year.
Also honoured at the event were Felix Okwudili Obika (MD/CEO FEOK Agency Services Ltd.) who emerged Logistics Person of the Year; Dr. Odiraa Nwankwor (Pediatrician) who was named the Philanthropist of the Year; Prof. Beze Afam Adogu (Nephrologist) who emerged Diaspora Person of the Year; Kenechukwu Ndunwa (Co-Founder TYNUEV Technological), who was named Innovator of the Year; Sir Willie Nwokoye who was named Community Service Icon of the Year; and Fr. Dr. Gabriel Anochilionye (Principal St. Charles College Onitsha) who was named School Administrator of the Year.
In the institutional category, St. John Vianney Science College, Ukwulu, was named Best Private School of the Year, while Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji, emerged Best Public School of the Year.
Two indigenous businesses also received recognition, with OneGrid Energies winning the Startup Company of the Year award, while SunnyPeace Haircare Products was named Brand of the Year.
The awards, according to the organisers, were designed to recognise individuals and institutions whose achievements and contributions have created visible and lasting impact in Anambra State, Nigeria and beyond.
More photos from the event:
