Chairman, Mekens Integrated Nigeria Ltd, High Chief Anthony Ikenna Obele (Okwunze Aguata) has been named the Business Icon of the Year Award at the 5th Edition of Anambra Man of the Year Award (AMTY).

He received the award at the Stanel Dome Conference Centre, Awka , Anambra State, before an audience of distinguished business leaders, academics, captains of industry and other eminent personalities.

The award widely regarded as the South-East’s foremost platform for celebrating excellence, recognises men and women whose achievements continue to shape business, governance, academia and public service.

The event was chaired by Founder of Falcon Corporation, Prof. Joe Ezigbo, while Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Bond Anyaehie, delivered the keynote address with the theme: Unstoppable Anambra: Leveraging Human Capital for Global Impact.

For Obele, 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.

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 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 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.