AKWUKWU-IGBO/Nigeria: Akwukwu-Igbo, the headquarters of Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, came alive on Friday, 5th December 2025, as residents gathered in an inspiring display of pride and communal spirit to celebrate one of their brightest young achievers, Miss Chelsea Amaka Iweanyi, for her outstanding leadership and contributions to humanity.
The ceremony, held at the Akwukwu-Igbo Town Hall and streamed live by LEAP TV, attracted a diverse crowd of young people, elders, community leaders and dignitaries who came to honour Miss Iweanyi and hear from the guest speaker, Prof. (Mrs.) Joyce Ogho Ogwezi, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Dr. Newton Jibunoh, the Nnaobodo of Akwukwu-Igbo, conveyed the royal blessings of His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) David Azuka, the Obi of Akwukwu-Igbo. He described the celebration as a reaffirmation of the community’s long-standing values of recognising good deeds and discouraging negative conduct. Chief Jibunoh hailed Miss Iweanyi for bringing honour to her hometown and urged her to remain focused as “a torch bearer now entrusted with even greater responsibility.”
Prof. Ogwezi delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the theme, “Value Reconstruction and Civic Responsibility: A Catalyst for Sustainable Community Development.” She stressed that rebuilding values is critical to nurturing rational thinking, strengthening communal bonds, encouraging civic responsibility, and promoting healthy social communication. She cautioned against the indiscriminate sale of ancestral lands to non-indigenes, warning that the practice threatens cultural continuity and generational identity.
She applauded Miss Iweanyi for her courage and encouraged her to remain steadfast in pursuing her passions.
President-General of the Akwukwu-Igbo Community Development Association, Chief Ikechukwu Iwegbu, also congratulated the honouree and urged youths to emulate her exemplary lifestyle.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Organising Committee and Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Delta State Chapter, Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, fnipr, underscored the urgent need for value rebirth and character regeneration among young Nigerians. He said the gathering was not only to celebrate Miss Iweanyi’s excellence during her National Youth Service in Kaduna—where she rebuilt a clinic in her place of primary assignment, a feat that earned her a national award presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR—but also to inspire others.
Mr. Osakwe encouraged youths to uphold strong virtues and remain focused regardless of their backgrounds. Similarly, 2025 Mandela Washington Fellow, Mr. Daniel Anazia, charged young people to embrace digital tools for personal and community development and to position themselves as agents of transformational leadership.
In an emotional speech, Miss Iweanyi recounted her early struggles, sacrifices, and faith-driven journey. She spoke passionately about her NGO’s work, which includes rehabilitating drug addicts, advocating for unpaid workers, and supporting children’s education with essential learning materials. She encouraged other young people to remain resilient and keep their faith alive.
The event featured the presentation of gifts to Miss Iweanyi by the Akwukwu-Igbo community and the unveiling of a Plastic Recycling Receptacle Initiative aimed at promoting environmental sustainability across the town and its environs.
Notable personalities in attendance included Chief Sunny Okonta, the Odogwu of Akwukwu-Igbo; Her Royal Highness, Omu Grace Ekwutoziam Osibe, the Omu of Akwukwu-Igbo; Rev. Father Francis O. Ofozor, Parish Priest of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church; as well as traditional title holders, community leaders, and other distinguished guests.
