Events

Anambra Man of the Year Awards celebrates 40 exceptional individuals in Awka

Published

1 year ago

March 25, 2025

The 2025 Anambra Man of the Year Awards honoured 40 individuals for their outstanding contributions to society, showcasing integrity, service, and innovation

The Anambra Man of the Year (AMTY) Awards held a glittering ceremony at Stanel Dome in Awka, Anambra State, on [insert date], recognising 40 distinguished philanthropists and individuals for their exceptional contributions to human capital development and societal progress.

Now in its fourth edition, the prestigious event brought together a myriad of dignitaries, industry leaders, and public figures, celebrating outstanding achievements across various sectors.

The AMTY Awards, which aim to inspire integrity and greatness among Anambrarians, served as a platform to acknowledge the remarkable work of individuals who have had a positive impact on their communities.

The AMTY Awards celebrated achievements in numerous categories, including Best Investor of the Year, Award for Social Impact, Media Icon of the Year, and the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, among others. These categories emphasized values such as service, innovation, and dedication to societal betterment.

Notable recipients of the awards included:

– **Lady Ada Chukwudozie**, Chairperson of Keystone Group and South East Chairperson of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN)

– **Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone**, former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

– **Prof. Joe Ezigbo**, Founder of Falcon Corporation Limited

– **Chief Dr. Azubuike Austin Ekweozor**, Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze

– **Ngozi Ezeonu**, celebrated Nollywood actress

– **Iken Mazeli**, highlife music artist

– **Prof. Benjamin Ozumba**, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka

– **Queen Theresa Ofojie Ojialo**

– **Mr. John Onuigbo**

– **Emeka Monye**, among others.

The event saw these accomplished individuals recognized for their extraordinary work in business, education, entertainment, and social development, making a tangible difference in their communities.

In his opening address, Mr. Chiedu Okafor, Co-founder of the AMTY Awards, explained that the initiative was designed to honour individuals whose contributions have made a lasting positive impact on society.

He emphasized that the awards are apolitical and serve to highlight the extraordinary work being done by Anambrarians in various sectors.

“The AMTY Awards were conceived in 2020 as a response to the commercialization of awards, which can undermine their integrity.

We wanted to create a system that truly celebrates excellence, as exemplified by the winners tonight, who have significantly transformed their communities,” Okafor stated.

The selection process for the awards involved a rigorous online voting system, open to stakeholders within the Igbo community worldwide, alongside a thorough evaluation of the nominees’ achievements.

Okafor extended his gratitude to **Engr. Barth Nwibe**, the primary sponsor of the event, and acknowledged the support of **Governor Chukwuma Soludo**, whose leadership has helped foster a conducive environment for initiatives like the AMTY Awards.

The ceremony was chaired by **Dr. Chike Obidigbo (Osisioma Igbo)**, a respected investment consultant, whose presence added prestige and gravitas to the event.

Award recipients expressed deep appreciation for the recognition, noting that it would inspire them to continue their efforts in advancing community development.

Many winners spoke of how the awards serve as a motivation to further their work, ensuring that their efforts in business, education, entertainment, and philanthropy will continue to benefit Anambra State and Nigeria at large.

The AMTY Awards have become a cornerstone event in Anambra, and the 2025 edition showcased the transformative power of individuals dedicated to improving society through integrity, service, and innovation.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

4 days ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”