Sunday, 28 December 2025, marks a significant occasion for the Ngwa nation, a convergence of spirit and purpose in the vibrant heart of Aba, the Enyimba City. The 2nd edition of Ngwa Day celebration, set to unfold at Ngwa High School, promises to be a spectacle of unity, a testament to the enduring spirit of this populous ethnic sub-group. Today’s gathering, drawing Ndi Ngwa from both within and across the diaspora, is far more than a social event, it is a potent symbol of cultural resurgence, a conscious effort to rekindle and reaffirm a collective identify at the verge of extinction.
A statement by the Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. Chukwuma Ahiaraumunna Offor, FCA, KSJI, and Chairman, Media/Publicity Committee, Mr. Ukaobisike Uzoije said His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, is the Special Guest of Honour, Chief Theo Nkire is the Chairman of the occasion. Prof. Chibuike Ananaba, SAN, President of Ngwa Social Club is the Chief Convener supported by the leadership of other Ngwa affiliate associations.
According to the statement, the event was preceded yesterday by a thought provoking symposium where Prof. Sam Ihesine Erugo spoke on ‘NGWANESS: UMUNNA EHILA’. Elder Chibuike Nwokeukwu SAN was the Chairman. The discussions were moderated by Prof. Ikechi Mgboji.
The genesis of Ngwa Day is rooted in a profound desire for cultural preservation and revival. The resolution, unanimously adopted during the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the Ngwa Social Club in December 2023, to institutionalise 28th December as Ngwa Day, speaks volumes about the yearning for a structured platform to celebrate and safeguard their heritage. This foresight by the Ngwa Social Club and the collaborative spirit fostered by other affiliate associations laid the groundwork for a movement that transcends simple nostalgia. It is a proactive step towards defining and protecting the essence of NGWANESS.
The concept of Ngwa Day as elucidated by 1st Vice President Ngwa Social Club, Dr. Chukwuma Ahiaraumunna Offor, is presented not as an abstract ideal, but as a tangible ideology that encapsulates ‘everything good about Ndi Ngwa’. The Ngwa-centric perspective emphasises collective good over self-interest, a crucial distinction in an era where individualism can often dilute communal aspirations.
Ngwa Day, therefore is positioned as a vibrant festival, a kaleidoscope of Ngwa culture, tradition, custom, arts, antiquity, crafts, and cuisine. It is an awakening, a resounding declaration that ‘OMELALA EJIGHIALALA’ – heritage is never forgotten. Today’s gathering of Ngwa sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora from the seven council areas that constitute the Ngwa nation paint a compelling picture of a people reconnecting with their roots and reaffirming their shared identify.
The enthusiastic participation in this Year’s Ngwa Day Celebration occasioned by the meticulous planning and preparations is highly commendable. The tireless efforts of the Planning Committee, ably led the workaholic Dr. Chukwuma Ahiaraumunna Offor, the diligence of the thirteen subcommittees, and the strategic outreach of the Mobilisation/Contact and Media/Publicity Subcommittees led by Lady Vivian Irondi and Mr. Ukaobisike Uzoije respectively, point to a deep-seated commitment to making the event a monumental success. The anticipated influx of guests and the promise of an ‘unforgettable experience’ speak to the efficacy of their aggressive mobilisation and publicity drives. The vision of Ngwa Day as a “fertile ground for Ndi Ngwa to reconnect, network, celebrate their achievements and showcase exciting events, cultural performances and opportunities as never before’, is an ambitious yet achievable goal.
The presence of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, as the Special Guest of Honour, lends significant weight to the occasion. This endorsement from the highest echelons of the state leadership signals a growing recognition of the Ngwa people’s cultural, socio-economic importance and aspirations
As the Ngwa Day celebration annually unfolds, it is crucial to acknowledge that the pursuit of this resurgent identify is not without it’s complexities and challenges. The pride and dignity in NGWANESS can only be fully realised when certain issues that demean their NGWANESS are addressed. These are not minor inconveniences but fundamental concerns that demand urgent and concerted attention.
The construction of a magnificent All Ngwa Cultural Hall in Aba is a practical and symbolic necessity. Such a facility would serve as a permanent nexus for cultural activities, a repository of Ngwa history and a robust hub for intergenerational dialogue.
There should be a rethink in the proposed sitting of OVU NGWA in Aba. The project ought to be rightly located at Okpuala Ngwa to serve as a reminder to the present and future generations of Ndi Ngwa of their historical roots. Doing so speaks to a desire to anchor the modern resurgence of NGWANESS in its ancestral foundation, a move that could foster a stronger sense of belonging and continuity.
Perhaps, the most critical issue is the prevailing political dominance of Aba Federal Constituency as well as Aba North and Aba South local government areas, to the exclusion of Ndi Ngwa. This obvious political marginalization is a sobering reminder that cultural pride must be accompanied by equitable political representation. Abdicating from this calls to question the whole essence of the crusade for NGWANESS. For Ndi Ngwa to truly flourish and for Ngwaness to be fully embodied, their voices must be heard and their political aspirations addressed proportionally. This is a task that must be done to ensure that Ngwa people have a fair share in their political landscape.
Furthermore, the ‘present clear and danger’ security threat posed on indigenes of Ngwa by external elements requires to be tackled head-on. Intelligence report indicates infiltration across Ngwa land necessitates an urgent and decisive response. The safety and security of the people are paramount , and any threat to this must be met with unwavering resolve.
The persistent and legitimate agitation for the creation of Aba State is another crucial element in this narrative of empowerment. The pursuit of statehood is all about self-determination, about creating a political entity that can better serve the specific needs and aspirations of Ngwa people.
This 2nd edition of Ngwa Day marks a significant milestone for the people of Ngwa nation. It is a celebration of a rich heritage, a testament to the strength of their collective identity, and a reaffirmation of their aspirations for progress and prosperity. The initiative by the Ngwa Social Club and its affiliates deserves accolades, as does the dedication of the planning committee, the generosity and helping hands of individual/corporate sponsors, the encouragement of revered Ngwa monarchs, and the high spirit of the entire people of Ngwa nation.
It is an opportunity to remember our Ngwa compatriots who have represented the Ngwa nation creditably within the global community and have left shining examples of what Ngwaness is. Such men as Dr. Jaja Anucha Wachuku (Ugo NGWA), first Ngwa Lawyer and second Igbo lawyer, first Speaker of the House of Representatives and Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Eze Josiah Ndubuisi Wachuku – Eze Nbu Nde Ngwa, Eze Marcus W. Ubani – Eze Nke Abua Nde Ngwa, Chief Paul Ururuka, former Minister of Transport & Works in the Eastern Nigeria Government who built the present day Ururuka Road, Dr. George Wigwe – a great advocate and champion of NGWA cause, Dr. James Okeikpe – the first NGWA Medical Doctor and second Igbo medical doctor who died in a plane crash in 1948, Elder (Dr.) Emmanuel O. Adaelu – the great champion of industrialization and leader of contemporary UKWA/NGWA and their legacies. We also acknowledge those who are still with us and have shone like stars. Such greats as Dr. Paul Agbai Ogwuma – one of the longest serving managing directors of Union Bank Group as well as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Justice Chidiebere Uwa, our own Amazon in the area of Jurisprudence and even in the ecclesiastical realm our own export to the world His Excellency, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu who represented the Holy See at the United Nations and former Papal Nunctio to Nicaragua.
As Ndi Ngwa converge on Aba today, let the gathering serve as a catalyst for deeper introspection, strategic planning and unwavering collective action. May Ngwa Day become not just an annual tradition, but a consistent force driving the holistic advancement and enduring pride of the Ngwa people. The journey towards a fully actualized Ngwaness is on going. This 2025 Ngwa Day celebration is a vital step forward.
Uzoma Isiakpu, a Public Relations Consultant, is a member of the Media/Publicity Committee.
