The Active Media Online Practitioners (AMOP) has honoured Prince Sunday Etchie with its Distinguished Award for Outstanding Humanitarian and Leadership Service, recognising him as one of the most impactful community development figures in the Niger Delta. The award is anchored on verified infrastructure projects, welfare support initiatives, and transparent leadership delivered during his tenure as Trust Chairman of the Beresibi community.
Ejes Gist News reports that the award followed a detailed assessment conducted by AMOP’s verification committee, which reviewed multiple completed projects attributed to Prince Etchie. These projects include the construction of residential housing, a fully furnished town hall, essential transportation assets, a major walkway, and direct welfare interventions for vulnerable residents.
The recognition places Prince Etchie among a small group of community-focused leaders in Nigeria whose work demonstrates measurable impact, citizen-oriented service, and long-term developmental significance.
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Why AMOP Honoured Prince Sunday Etchie
AMOP created the Distinguished Award for Outstanding Humanitarian and Leadership Service to recognise individuals who demonstrate sustained commitment to community welfare. The recognition is based on verified achievements and not on political allegiance, wealth ranking, or social popularity.
Key Criteria Used by AMOP for the 2025 Edition
- Completion of community development projects
- Verifiable impact on the living standards of residents
- Leadership conduct consistent with transparency and accountability
- Provision of welfare support to vulnerable households
- Positive community testimonials
- Evidence of long-term benefits from implemented projects
Prince Etchie met and exceeded these criteria, especially in infrastructure delivery and welfare outreach.
Housing Projects Delivered Under His Leadership
Construction of Six Blocks of Two-Bedroom Flats
One of the most significant achievements highlighted by AMOP is the construction of six blocks of two-bedroom flats. These buildings provide decent accommodation for families who previously lived in inadequate structures, offering improved ventilation, safer living conditions, and increased community stability.
The housing units were constructed with durable foundations suitable for the region’s terrain. Residents say the buildings have improved access to secure shelter, especially for families affected by environmental challenges common in riverine settlements.
Development of an Additional Three-Bedroom Flat
In addition to the larger housing development, Prince Etchie funded and completed a three-bedroom flat for community use. This project supports broader family structures and enhances residential capacity for households with more complex needs.
These housing interventions reflect a targeted approach to addressing long-standing accommodation shortages within Beresibi.
Delivery of a Fully Furnished Town Hall
Among the most celebrated achievements is the construction of a fully furnished town hall now serving as the administrative and social nucleus of the Beresibi community.
The town hall provides a central venue for:
- Community meetings
- Civic activities and briefings
- Youth and women empowerment programs
- Cultural celebrations
- Official engagements with government representatives
- Conflict resolution and communal decision-making
Stakeholders noted that the town hall has strengthened community coordination, improved governance, and created a unified platform for collective action.
Procurement of Speed Boats for Community Mobility
Transportation is a major challenge in riverine communities where waterways serve as primary roads. To address this, Prince Etchie acquired speed boats for community use.
These boats support:
- Emergency medical evacuations
- Transportation of schoolchildren
- Movement of agricultural products
- Inter-community communication
- Access to markets and essential services
- Disaster response, especially during flooding
Residents confirmed that the boats have reduced travel time and improved safety, particularly in emergency scenarios where rapid transportation is critical.
Construction of a 1.2-Kilometre Walkway
AMOP also highlighted the 1.2-km walkway constructed through Prince Etchie’s leadership. This project has improved safe mobility across the community, especially during the rainy season when water levels rise.
The walkway supports:
- Easier access for schoolchildren
- Movement of elderly residents
- Safer trade and commerce
- Reduced accident risks
- Improved linkage between community zones
Residents say the walkway remains one of the most visibly impactful projects due to its direct influence on daily movement.
Welfare Support and Humanitarian Interventions
Beyond infrastructure, AMOP recognised Prince Etchie’s humanitarian gestures.
Provision of Foam Mattresses
He purchased and distributed foam mattresses to vulnerable households, including beneficiaries identified through community monitors such as Stephanie of Sapele Mirror. This welfare initiative targeted families lacking essential bedding materials and supported improved comfort and living standards.
AMOP’s committee noted that welfare interventions, though smaller in scale than infrastructure projects, play an important role in addressing immediate community needs.
Leadership Record as Trust Chairman of Beresibi Community
Prince Etchie’s achievements are closely linked to his role as Trust Chairman, a position requiring strategic leadership, fiscal responsibility, and representation of community interests.
Under his stewardship:
- Project execution followed community consultations
- Construction works were supervised transparently
- Procurement followed responsible channels
- Decisions were guided by social impact rather than personal interest
- Community members participated actively in planning processes
Stakeholders say this leadership approach strengthened unity and inspired higher participation in community development activities.
Community Reactions to the Award
The award generated widespread commendation across Beresibi. Youth groups, women leaders, and elders provided testimonies confirming the value of the projects completed under Prince Etchie.
Reactions Highlighted Several Themes
- Appreciation for infrastructure that directly improves daily life
- Recognition of transparent leadership practices
- Acknowledgment of his personal financial commitment
- Affirmation that the award reflects community realities
- Encouragement for continued development-oriented governance
Residents say the honour was long overdue and entirely well-deserved based on the body of work delivered within the community.
AMOP’s Verification Process
The Active Media Online Practitioners uses a rigorous process to select honourees for its annual award program. For the 2025 edition, the process included:
- Field verification
- Interviews with beneficiaries
- Project inspection
- Review of photographic and documentary evidence
- Evaluation of leadership integrity
- Assessment of long-term impact
Based on these verifications, the committee concluded that Prince Etchie’s contributions met the highest standards of community development excellence.
Long-Term Significance of the Award
The Active Media Online Practitioners Humanitarian and Leadership Award enhances Beresibi’s profile, showcasing what grassroots leadership can achieve through planned development and accountability.
The recognition is expected to:
- Encourage further community engagement
- Strengthen partnerships for development
- Improve visibility for the community
- Motivate other leaders to adopt transparent project models
- Enhance stakeholder confidence in local governance
Civil society groups in the region noted that awards of this nature help promote responsible leadership by highlighting measurable achievements.
Why the Award Matters for Local Development
Prince Etchie’s recognition demonstrates that community development can be achieved without waiting for external intervention. His work shows that targeted, strategic investments in housing, transport, accessibility, and welfare can transform living conditions in riverine communities.
Experts say the award will likely encourage documentation of local development efforts, strengthen accountability systems, and support better planning for future projects.
Future Prospects for Beresibi Community
Residents and stakeholders expect the recognition to open new avenues for partnerships with government agencies, private donors, and advocacy organizations. With improved visibility, Beresibi may attract additional infrastructure support, environmental interventions, and capacity-building programs.
