Valentine Ozigbo Gives Rousing Speech As Supporters Launch Valiant Movement
AWKA, Nigeria – In a rousing speech that electrified a packed hall at the Grand East Hotel in Awka, Valentine Ozigbo, a respected business leader, officially launched the Valiant Movement, a political and social initiative aimed at redefining leadership and governance in Anambra State.
The event, held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, was attended by political figures, business leaders, and community stakeholders, marked a pivotal moment in Ozigbo’s evolving political trajectory.
Standing before an enthusiastic audience, the globally recoginised philanthropist who recently shook up the political landscape of Anambra State, delivered a passionate address framed around a simple yet profound question: “What is Today?”
“This is the moment we reclaim our greatness,” Ozigbo declared, his voice resonating across the hall.
“This is the moment that we rise up and unite behind our vision for a better and brighter Anambra.”
A Movement Rooted in History and Purpose
Ozigbo, the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, evoked the rich history of Anambra, paying tribute to icons such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dim Ikemba Ojukwu, Alex Ekwueme, Chuba Okadigbo, Dora Akunyili, Chinua Achebe, and Peter Obi, among others.
He lamented what he described as the state’s decline into insecurity, confusion, and disillusionment, blaming it on leadership failures and a deviation from the ideals of selflessness and service.
“The moment we stopped placing character, competence, and compassion as the overruling criteria for leadership, that was the moment our greatness was caged,” he said.
He further called for a new brand of leadership that transcends party lines, urging unity and a renewed sense of purpose among Ndi Anambra.
Emphasising Leadership, Unity, and Action
Ozigbo’s speech was not just a reflection on the past but a call to action. He denounced “dismissive and arrogant leadership,” insecurity, and the erosion of dignity among the people.
He positioned the Valiant Movement as a collective effort to restore Anambra’s position as a beacon of progress and development.
“In this hall today are men and women who have made sacrifices, who have put the people first, and who are ready to lead this movement,” he said, acknowledging several individuals who had played key roles in the initiative.
“This is the moment that we anchor our faith on the boundless possibilities planted within us. This is the moment that everything changes for Ndi Anambra,” he added, drawing cheers from the audience.
The Valiant Movement is a youth-driven grassroot movement committed delivering Ozigbo’s victory at the 2025 governorship election led by Ike Bishop Okoronkwo.
A Strategic Political Move?
Ozigbo’s launch of the Valiant Movement comes just days after his dramatic exit from the Labour Party, a move that fuelled intense speculation about his next political step.
On Thursday, he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, and this has already shifted the dynamics of Anambra’s political landscape.
Though he did not dwell on his APC membership, his speech made clear that he envisions a broad coalition that prioritises leadership quality over partisan affiliations.
He is expected to engage with the national leadership of the APC in the coming days, potentially consolidating his role within the party ahead of the 2025 Anambra governorship election.
The Road Ahead
As the event concluded, the energy in the room was palpable. Attendees, many of them young professionals and political influencers, expressed optimism that Ozigbo’s movement could galvanise the electorate and reshape the state’s political future.
For now, the Valiant Movement has begun. Whether it will translate into an effective political force remains to be seen.
“Ka Anambra Chawapu,” Ozigbo declared, closing his speech with his campaign mantra, the Igbo phrase for “Let Anambra shine.”
Ozigbo, a multiple-award-winning global CEO, is one of Nigeria’s most inspirational political figures who ran for the governorship of Anambra in 2021 as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), coming second behind Professor Charles Soludo, who was making his fourth run for the seat.
0
0
