By Uzoma Isiakpu
Barely two months from hence, the 2nd edition of Ngwa Day, now an annual event, will be celebrated. Precisely, on Sunday, 28 December 2025, the landscape of Abia State will be abuzz as the good people of Ngwa nation, consisting of seven of the the 17 council areas of the state converge on Ngwa High School, Aba to mark Ngwa Day 2025 in grand style.
The all inclusive celebration will feature cultural displays such as Ekpe/Ekpo/Ikoro/ Ozo title performance, Iri ji ndi Ngwa, Offor odi na ala, Mgbede, Ngba umunwoke, masquerades, musical concerts, exhibitions, preparation and eating of special Ngwa delicacies, and of course, well researched lecture and lots more will also take place on the 27th of December at the Symposium. The guest lecturer is a distinguished academic and law teacher, Professor Sam Erubo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). A bright scholar, Prof. Erugo will speak on: ‘Ngwaness: Umunna Ehila’, literally meaning ‘Kinsmen Are Great’. The People-centric and preforming Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, is expected to be the Chief Guest of Honour on the occasion.
As the count down to the Ngwa Day 2025 draws nearer , what are the preparations on ground to guarantee a hitch-free and successful outing? A check reveals that preparations are on course. To wit, the 1st Vice President of Ngwa Social Club and Chairman, Planning Committee of Ngwa Day 2025 Celebration, Dr. Chukwuma Offor is firing on all cylinders to ensure that everything is in their proper perspectives. An astute administrator with inclination for excellence, soft spoken Dr. Chukwuma Offor is actively superintending the activities of all the sub-committees for a harmonious, seamless and successful planning, execution and memorable outcome.
All the sub-committees are working at their peak to deliver the desired result. For instance,the Contact and Reach/Mobilisation Committee of which Lady Vivian Irondi, a Legal Analyst with the World Bank Group, a multiletral development organisation headquartered in the United States (US), is the Chairperson has effectively been sensitizing individuals and groups on the need to be part of the programme.
Pragmatic and highly motivated international event management expert, motivational speaker and trust fund administrator, Lady Vivian Irondi has deployed her wealth of experience in driving her committee’s assignment. Energetic Lady Irondi and members of her Committee have stumped the length and width of the Ngwa nation mobilizing the citizens, groups, institutions and communities to grace in their numbers and participate in the NGWA DAY 2025 Celebration.
According to the great mobiliser, humanist and philanthropist, the Contract and Reach/Mobilization Committee is selflessly doing its best to attract a sea of heads to the event. She expressed satisfaction at the enthusiasm and high level of reception by Ndi Ngwa, pointing out that her Committee has already over mobilised people for the event. Goal oriented and a woman of substance, Lady Vivian Irondi disclosed that Ngwa monarchs, Mayors of the seven LGAs of Ngwa nation, Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Ngwa origin, captions of industry, prominent politicians, women organisations and youths have keyed into the programme.
A team player, Lady Vivian Irondi who also functions in advisory capacity in the other committees said no segment of Ngwa nation was left out in the mobilisation. According to her, Keke operators, Okada riders, Oha Ngwa hunters, palm wine tappers, palm tree cutters association, Oha Ngwa market women, Oha Ngwa Dibia, Ikoro group as well as friends and well wishers of NDI Ngwa have all been reached and invited.
A strong believer in Ngwa cause, Lady Vivian Irondi gleefully stated: ‘The affirmation is huge and encouraging from every person and group the Committee visited’.
In the same vein, the Media/Publicity Committee which has as its Chairman Chief Ukaobisike Uzoije is also upbeat in executing her brief. It is working assiduously in creating the needed awareness and engendering publicity on Ngwa Day 2025 celebration.
Comprising seasoned media, information management and social media professionals such as De Sustainer, Baba Chumzy, Uzoma Isiakpu, Oluchukwu Precious, George Goodwill, Anuibe Ananaba, Vivian Irondi, Prince Clinton Uba, GOC Nnaji, Uba Alilionwu, Ikeddy Isiguzo, Ngozi Uloma Ufomba and Precious Akachukwu, the Media/Publicity Committee has already designed eye-catching bill boards to be hoisted in strategic locations in the catchment area of the occasion.
The Committee has equally concluded arrangements for the articulate Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Dr. Chukwuma Offor and select members of other Committees to showcase from different perspectives Ngwa Day 2025 on radio stations across the state. Website and social media pages have been created, jingles that will soon hit the airwaves produced, aggressive advertisement drive already yeilding results, even as plans are afoot to secure corporate sponsorship for the big event.
As with the Contact, Reach/Mobilisation and Media/Publicity Committees, the other Committees such as Culture and Antiquity, Protocol, Symposium, Security and Logistics, Entertainment and so forth, are all perfecting strategies for a successful affair.
Expectedly, inside information gleaned from the activities of the various Committees, point to the fact that Ngwa Day 2025 boosts to be a celebration of excellence.
Away from the fanfare and the revatalization of NGWA culture, tradition, customs, antiquity and values, the time is also now for arrowheads of Ngwa Day to restore the dignity and respect the NGWA Man in managing the affairs of his land of nativity. The Ngwaness being noised about ought to certify our place in history and onwards, that Ngwa sons and daughters will take pride in their identity. Abanding from actualizing this noble goal will leave the whole concept of NGWA DAY Celebration a twaddle.
*Uzoma Isiakpu is a public relations consultant.
