Anambra Man Of The Year (AMTY), has conferred various categories of awards to forty philanthropists in Anambra among which are renowned music icon, Hon Ikem Mazeli, Chief Executive Officer, R&B Estate and Homes Awka, Mr Augustine Chekwube Okeke, and Chief Executive Officer Bosco Clothing’s, Mr Ifeka Johnbosco Chisom among others.
The prestigious award is the fourth edition designed as a way of showing appreciation to illustrious Nigerians for their continued contributions to the development of their communities, the people around them and the Nigeria society at large, News Echo reports.
The event which took place at the stately Dome event recently saw respected personalities from the political, socioeconomic, cultural and philanthropists gathered to receive the awards.
In his opening address, the founder, of AMTY, Comrade Chinedu Okafor, said the event has no political undertone. According to him, the personalities were selected through online voting by relevant stakeholders from Igbo extraction across the World.
He stressed that the group decided after tracking and critically analysing their performance in positive transformation both in human and infrastructural development.
In an interview with Hon Ikem Mazeli, popularly known as material Onye we Egwu who bagged the Music Icon of the Year Award, while expressing happiness over the award noted that this is not the first award he is receiving but the fact that the award is coming from Anambra, he is most delighted to have it.
“This is not the first time but this particular award is prestigious because it’s coming from Umunne m Ndi Anambra. This is special and I appreciate AMTY for this precious award.
Hon Mazeli lamented that the new generations of youths now are going into hip pop/foreign music but still maintain that traditional highlife is better as it gives meaning to everyday human endeavours. “Most of my colleagues are always surprised when they see me because what I sing or say is older than myself. Most of them have gone off track because of the money they need but some of us try to maintain the rich cultural songs of our people and I am happy to have been honoured”.
Addressing newsmen, Chief Executive Officer, R&B Estate and Homes Awka, Mr Augustine Chekwube Okeke honoured with “Inspiring Young Person of the Year” in his speech said “I feel very delighted to receive this award. Of course, I am expecting it but not so fast, thanks to God Almighty. There is nothing so special that others are doing, you just have to impact others. Here at R&B Estate and Homes, we allow the young ones to make ends meet, to work and earn, a niche to create wealth for themselves and be independent rather than on their parents”.
“I want to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to AMTY for finding me worthy of this honour, I feel elated and encourage you guys to do more, thank you for your efforts”.
“While I dedicate this award to my staff and clients at R&B Homes, you guys are wonderful”.
In the same vein, Chief Executive Officer Bosco Clothing’s, Mr Ifeka Johnbosco Chisom who was honoured with the “Creative Entrepreneur of the Year” noted he is motivated to do more. “To be very frank, if I tell you that I am not grateful at this point. It’s a very motivational award when you appreciate any creator of his craft. This going to give me more zeal to push for more because for a couple of years, I have been putting in some hard work and I have not been seeing recognition from any organisation or group aside from the ones you will be called upon to buy but this is a merited award and so I feel so grateful receiving this”.
Mr Ifeka who spoke on modern trends in items of clothing disclosed that the government should take fashionists seriously. “Fashion is being underrated in this part of the world and if the government can come in with support we will do exploits. Take a look at brand names like GUCCI, VITON, NIKE and others, if there were no support they wouldn’t be where they are today”
“I appreciate AMTY, they must be very disciplined for the fact that they were able to locate us they are good to go”.
Others include, the Chairman, of Chillis Foods Limited, Mr Peter Abayo, former Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Esimone
The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Prof Tessy Obumneme Okoli, Anambra State Correspondent of Arise Television, Mr Emeka Monye, philanthropist-Dr Azubuike Austin Ekweozor, among others.
