Amty 5th Edition: A honour well deserved as High Chief Sir Dr. Anthony Ikenna Obele Bags Anambra business icon of the year

AMTY 5TH EDITION: A HONOUR WELL DESERVED AS HIGH CHIEF ANTHONY IKENNA OBELE BAGS ANAMBRA BUSINESS ICON OF THE YEAR AWARD

Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Anambra State — Nigeria🇳🇬

Yet another remarkable achievement was recorded on Saturday, 18th July , 2026, at the Stanel Dome Conference Centre, Awka , Anambra State— being the venue of the 5th Edition of Anambra Man of the Year (AMTY) Awards —  as High Chief Sir (Dr.) Amb. Anthony Ikenna Obele (Okwunze Aguata) — received the Business Icon of the Year — one of Anambra’s most prestigious honours— before an audience of distinguished business leaders, academics, captains of industry, religious leaders, and other eminent personalities.

Widely regarded as the South-East’s foremost platform for celebrating excellence, the Fifth Edition of the AMTY Awards once again lived up to its reputation by recognising men and women whose achievements continue to shape business, governance, academia, and public service. Chaired by Prof. Joe Ezigbo, Founder of Falcon Corporation, while  Prof. Bond Anyaehie , Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, delivered the keynote address with the theme: Unstoppable Anambra: Leveraging Human Capital for Global Impact —  an event which  further reinforced its status as one of the region’s biggest and most influential awards.

For Chief Obele, however, the honour represented far more than personal recognition. It affirmed a journey defined by enterprise, integrity and an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others.

As Chairman of Mekens Integrated Nigeria Ltd., he has built thriving businesses across construction, real estate, hospitality, logistics, trading , distribution, and the downstream oil and gas sector. Yet beyond the impressive corporate profile lies a story many find even more compelling—a businessman who has consistently chosen to make his success meaningful to others.

Across several communities in Anambra State, roads once abandoned have found new life through his personal interventions. Communities that once struggled with poor access now enjoy improved connectivity because one man decided that waiting for government was not always the answer.

These are not promises. They are roads people drive on every day. Yet roads tell only part of the story.

According to his Adviser on Media Communications and Strategy, Njoku Macdonald Obinna— through youth empowerment, educational support, entrepreneurial funding and humanitarian interventions, Chief Obele has continued to create opportunities for young people, support indigent students and strengthen communities across Anambra State.

For Chief Obele, success has never been measured solely by the businesses he builds, but by the people those businesses empower.

Receiving the award alongside his beautiful wife, Lady Ifeoma Obele, friends, business associates, and numerous well wishers — Chief Obele described the recognition as “a great honour,” expressing deep  appreciation to the organisers for finding him worthy of the prestigious recognition.

He dedicated the honour to “the entire South-East, the men and women who have supported him, his family , and  the Mekens Group throughout this journey,” stressing that their encouragement and belief had contributed immensely to his success.

Reflecting on the philosophy that has continued to define his interventions, he said: “Our commitment to youth empowerment, education and community development is not mere charity. It is an investment in our children who will build companies even bigger than mine.”

He concluded with what many considered the defining message of the evening, declaring that “integrity still pays,” while describing the award as “a chance to build, create, employ and do more.”

The  watershed event also celebrated other distinguished personalities whose remarkable contributions have continued to shape society. His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke received the Person of the Decade Award, while Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, Chairman of Fidelity Bank, was honoured as Woman of the Year.

Also recognised were Prof. Chinyere Stella, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, and Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (OON, SAN, Life Bencher), Founder of WACOL and Tamar SARC, both recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Mrs. Chinyere Moneme, SAN, Principal Partner of Crystal Legal Services, received the Inspiring Woman of the Year Award, while Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, emerged Public Servant of the Year. Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu was honoured as Banker of the Year, while Mr. John Ezeobi, Chairman of Zobis Electrical Wires and Cables Ltd., received the Manufacturer of the Year Award.

As the applause faded inside the Stanel Dome, one thing became clear: the evening had never been about a plaque or a title. They were merely symbols of journeys already written through years of hardwork, resilence, enterprise and service.

Some men build companies that survive for decades. Others build legacies that outlive them.No doubt,  the Seven Star General —Super High Chief Sir (Dr.) Anthony Ikenna Obele— builds both.

The 2026 edition of the AMTY Awards concluded with organisers reaffirming the platform’s commitment to celebrating excellence and inspiring leadership across Anambra State and beyond.

Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Media Consultant|Newspaper Columnist|Public Analyst|PR- Expert

4TH ESTATE REPORTERS

4th Estate Reporters

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

Njoku Macdonald Obinna is a distinguished media consultant, public relations expert, and publisher of 4th Estate Reporters. With an impressive career spanning over 2 decades in the media and communications industry, he has built a solid reputation for excellence, strategic insight, and impactful storytelling.

Macdonald had served as a Correspondent with Ben TV London in Port Harcourt , and had also featured very prominently in national newspapers before establishing his media outfit.

He is the South East and South - South Business Operations Manager of Excel International Media group, and had attended a couple of international conferences outside Nigeria.

As an award- winning media personality, Macdonald has used his wealth of experience in communications strategy and public engagements to promote African culture and festivities, sports development, political leadership, and traditional institutions.

He has executed social documentaries and corporate profiling of both companies and individuals, leveraging media and public relations to enhance organizations profile and activities.

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