ASTUC Youths Inaugurate 20 Youth Leaders to Strengthen Grassroots Development

By Mary Obi

Twenty newly elected youth leaders from communities across Anambra State have been formally inaugurated into the Youth Wing of the Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC), in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and youth participation in community development.

The ceremony, held at the ASTUC Secretariat in Awka, brought together government officials, community leaders and past executives, marking what speakers described as a renewed push to position young people at the centre of local leadership and decision-making.

President of the council, Comrade Ken Okoli, said the inauguration was not merely ceremonial but intended to prepare the new leaders for the responsibilities ahead. He stressed that leadership within the council must be rooted in service, accountability and collaboration with existing community structures.

“Leadership is not about titles but about responsibility,” Okoli said, urging the youth presidents to act as a bridge between young people and traditional institutions, including town union executives and traditional rulers.

He also commended the Anambra State Government, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for creating an enabling environment for youth inclusion in governance, noting that credible electoral processes at the community level enhance accountability and cohesion among young people.

In his address, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Nwabufo Nwankwo, described the platform as an important training ground for future leaders. He called on the newly inaugurated officials to focus on long-term impact, integrity and unity.

“Leadership is measured by the difference you make, not the position you occupy,” he said, encouraging them to prioritise truth, vision and selfless service over personal gain.

Nwankwo also highlighted the role of organised youth groups as a critical force for social change, stressing the need for inclusiveness and collaboration in addressing community challenges.

The pioneer president of the council’s youth wing, Comrade Osita Ozalagba, said the initiative was established to equip young people with leadership skills and improve their contribution to society.

He added that the creation of a Lady Organisers unit within the council was designed to amplify the voices of young women and protect them from abuse.

Beyond the formal inauguration, some of the newly elected youth leaders outlined priorities focused on addressing unemployment, drug abuse and declining agricultural productivity in their communities.

In Anaku community, Youth President Comrade Chidozie Emmanuel said his administration would prioritise job creation, skills development and awareness campaigns to combat rising drug abuse among young people.

Similarly, in Achalla community, Youth President Comrade Edwin Sunday Osita announced plans to revitalise agriculture through cooperative farming and mechanisation, aimed at creating employment and reducing crime linked to youth disengagement.

Speakers at the event repeatedly emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend on the ability of the new leaders to uphold shared values, maintain unity and deliver tangible improvements at the grassroots level.

The ASTUC Youth Wing operates under a guiding framework known as “I Believe in Anambra,” which promotes principles including discipline, justice, patriotism and the dignity of labour.

With their inauguration, the 20 youth leaders are expected to play a central role in mobilising young people, strengthening community structures and advancing development efforts across the state.