The Grand East Hotel in Awka was alive with energy on Saturday, February 22, 2025, as Valentine Ozigbo, a respected business leader and philanthropist, officially unveiled the Valiant Movement, a new political and social initiative aimed at uniting Ndi Anambra under a vision of competence, character, and compassion in leadership.
The event, which drew an enthusiastic crowd of political stakeholders, youth leaders, social influencers, and business figures, was an orchestrated mix of political messaging, cultural pride, and solidarity, signalling what could be the beginning of a transformative political wave in Anambra State.
The Defining Moment: Ozigbo Takes the Stage.
Anticipation reached its peak as Valentine Ozigbo stepped onto the stage to deliver the keynote speech.
His address was a compelling mix of personal reflection, historical reverence, and a rallying cry for immediate action.
Mr Ozigbo began by posing a profound question: “What is today?” He urged the audience to see the moment as a turning point in Anambra’s history.
He traced the state’s lineage of great leaders, including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Dora Akunyili, Chinua Achebe, and Peter Obi, before lamenting the decline into insecurity, political disillusionment, and misgovernance.
“The moment we stopped placing character, competence, and compassion as the overruling criteria for leadership, that was the moment our greatness was caged,” he said.
His words ignited cheers from the crowd as he declared that the time had come to reclaim Anambra’s lost glory, calling on every son and daughter of the state to rise above division and build a movement bigger than political party lines.
“This is the moment we rise up and unite behind our vision for a better and brighter Anambra,” he declared, his voice rising with conviction.
A Grand Opening: From Music to Messages of Hope;
The programme commenced with an arrival, registration, and networking session, where guests engaged in light discussions over refreshments, while a carefully curated selection of background music set the tone for the day.
The event formally began with an opening prayer and the Nigerian national anthem, followed by a welcome address by Ike Bishop Okoronkwo, the National Coordinator of the Valiant Movement, who declared that the moment was not just about politics but about “reclaiming Anambra’s lost greatness.”
A touch of entertainment and modern-day political engagement came when Amb Kingland Ezeani, Funnybrain Nnewi and Alahaji of Influencing, two social influencers, took the stage to offer light-hearted yet insightful remarks on youth participation in governance.
The Voices of Anambra’s Future;
One of the most anticipated segments was the Voices of the Youth, where student leaders from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and Federal College of Education, Umunze took to the stage to advocate for youth-driven governance.
They spoke about the struggles young people face in a rapidly changing socio-political landscape and called for a movement that prioritises the next generation.
This was followed by solidarity messages from notable figures in the movement, including Kingland and Dr. Deka, all of whom emphasised unity, resilience, and the need for a collective vision.
Unveiling the Movement and Digital Platform;
Following his address, Ozigbo officially unveiled the Valiant Movement, a symbolic moment that was met with loud applause.
Shortly after, the National Coordinator of the movement launched the Valiant Movement’s digital portal, www.valiants.me providing an online hub for engagement, mobilisation, and participation in the movement’s activities.
Dignitaries and political figures present were then invited to offer their special remarks and goodwill messages, many of whom praised the initiative as a bold step toward a people-centred governance structure.
A Movement Begins: What Comes Next?
As the event drew to a close, Ozigbo left the audience with a final challenge: “Will today be the day we changed our future?”
In his closing remarks, he urged Ndi Anambra to join the movement, take ownership of the process, and refuse to accept leadership that does not serve the people.
The event ended with a networking session, where guests engaged in discussions about the next steps for the movement and its potential impact on the upcoming Anambra 2025 governorship race.
For Ozigbo, the Valiant Movement is an urgent call to action and promises to redefine Anambra’s political trajectory.
