By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
It was a moment of colour, culture, and prestige at the Palace of the Obi of Awka on Friday, October 11, 2025, as Ambassador Young Piero Omatsaye was honoured with the Key to Open Door of the Awka Kingdom.
This is in recognition of his outstanding contributions to community development, cultural promotion, and humanitarian service across Africa.
Ambassador Omatsaye, who currently serves as Director of the Parliament of the African Union Simulation Agenda 2063 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, came to the palace with some European investors has been using his position to promote peace, unity, and investment opportunities across African states.
The symbolic key, steeped in centuries of Awka tradition, represents trust, partnership, and the authority to open new doors of opportunity for the kingdom and its people.
During the ceremony, the Obi of Awka, His Imperial Majesty Dr. Austin Chukwuezugo Ndigwe, described Ambassador Omatsaye as “a son of the soil whose commitment to unity, youth empowerment, and cultural reawakening reflects the true spirit of the Awka nation on the continental stage.”
“In Awka tradition, the Key to Open Door is not just a symbol, it is a call to service,” the monarch said. “We have found in Ambassador Young Piero Omatsaye a worthy friend of the palace and the people,one who will continue to attract goodwill and progress to our land.”
The ceremony, conducted under strict cultural protocol, began with royal blessings and prayers led by the Palace Prime Minister, followed by the formal presentation of the symbolic key by the Obi himself.
In his response, Ambassador Omatsaye expressed profound gratitude to the royal father and the people of Awka for the recognition, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that promote peace, youth empowerment, and socio-economic growth in the kingdom.
“This key is a sacred trust,” Omatsaye said. “It reminds me that leadership is about opening doors for young people, for communities, and for a better Nigeria and Africa.
I dedicate this honour to the resilient people of Awka and to all Africans working for progress under the leadership of the Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.”
The event was graced by traditional chiefs, youth leaders, business executives, and international investors from Bulgaria, Turkey, and Rwanda.
Many commended the Obi for honouring a young African who continues to distinguish himself in leadership and service beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The ceremony concluded with group photographs, cultural displays, and a royal tour of the palace, where guests were introduced to two historic living tortoises said to have resided in the palace for over 150 years-a living testament to the heritage and continuity of the Awka Kingdom.
