*Spirit,Purpose Of Ngwaness Take Centrestage
*Chief Theo Nkire Unfurled As New Leader Of Ngwa Nation
By our reporter
It was a convergence of the dazzling array of heavyweight leaders, the true A-class, of the Ngwa nation of Abia State, recently, in the throbbing South-East business-industrial hub of Aba as they gathered for the 2025 Ngwa Day celebration.
Not only were top-notch cultural sartorial elegance of kaleidoscopic colours, personality sure-footedness, and impactful leadership radiations visibly on display, the event exuded the spirit and purpose of the Ngwa nation –a positively proud, fearless, adventurous and high-achieving people the wings of whose accomplishment impacts spread across continents.
It was a glittering array of personalities led by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State; Senator representing Abia South District, Enyinnaya Abaribe; his Abia Central counterpart, Sen. (Col.) Austin Akobundu, and many other dignitaries at the colourful celebration.
Theme of the celebration was ‘Ngwaness: Umunna Ehila’ (Strength in Brotherhood).
The two-day event featured a symposium at Aba Sports Club on day one and a cultural display at Ngwa High School the second day.
Highpoint of the last day was the unveiling and presentation of Chief Theo Nkire as the new leader of the Ngwa Nation to Gov. Otti.
Chief Nkire replaces the late Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, who died last year.
Addressing the gathering, Gov. Otti praised Ngwa leaders for participating in the cultural day celebration and harped on the need to preserve Ngwa cultural heritage.
A leader with a sense of history, Otti disclosed that the first leader of Ngwa people, Chief Jaja Wachukwu, would be honoured on 1 January 2026, by the Abia State government during the celebration of his 108th posthumous birthday at Nsulu. The governor invited the Ngwa Social Club to the event.
The late Chief (Dr.) Wachukwu was, variously, Nigeria’s first Speaker, House of Representatives, first Minister of Foreign Affairs, and first Ambassador to the United Nations (UN).
Gov. Otti hailed the choice of Chief Nkire as the new leader of Ngwa nation and congratulated him on his emergence, describing it as a well-deserved honour, just as he (Otti) expressed full support for the decision.
Dwelling on his pro-people accomplishments in office so far, the governor disclosed that he has prioritized job creation and security in the state and revived moribund industries to sustain the state’s ongoing transformation.
He further disclosed that he is currently in discussions with the Lebanese to revitalise the huge economic multipliers-latent Aba Textile Mill, adding that another discussion is ongoing on the International Glass Factory and the Metallurgical Plant.
Gov. Otti implored people of the state to remain patient, assuring them of more transformative feats across different sectors as the government works to reposition the State.
Also speaking, Sen. Abaribe commended Gov. Otti on the accomplishments recorded since he assumed office and urged him to sustain the good works.
Abaribe noted that the State has enjoyed improved security and socio-economic growth under the governor’s watch and prayed God to bless Ngwa people and prosper them in all their endeavours.
On his part, Sen. Akobundu expressed delight at being part of the event and praised Otti for the improved security enjoyed in the state.
The senator also praised Ngwa Social Club for hosting the event, noting that it has provided a platform for Ngwa people to showcase their rich cultural heritage.
In his speech, amid hand clapping by attendees, President of Ngwa Social Club, Professor Paul Ananaba, declared that the Ngwa had unanimously agreed to appoint Chief Nkire as their new leader.
Ananaba described Nkire as an elder statesman with a proven pedigree, noting that his experience, integrity and long record of service qualify him to provide credible leadership and effectively represent the interests of Ngwa people.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Orjinta Alala, who also spoke, said that the event provided an opportunity for Ngwa people to select a leader who would speak for them and articulate their collective position on issues of concern.
He recalled that Ngwa people had observed one year of mourning for their former leader, the late Dr Adaelu, and had now resolved to unanimously choose Chief Nkire as their new leader.
Keynote speaker in the symposium, Professor Sampson Erugo, SAN, in his paper presentation titled ‘Ngwaness: Umunna Ehila’, explained that Ngwaness is derived from adding the English language suffix ‘-ness’ to Ngwa, consciously to emphasise the quality of being “Onyengwa” (or an Ngwa person).
According to the highly regarded academic, “the suffix ‘-ness’ is generally known to indicate a “state”, “condition”, or “quality” (and often, by extension, something exemplifying a quality or state).
“Thus, in this case, the ‘quality’, ‘condition’, or ‘state’ of an Ngwa man, woman, son, or daughter.”
Professor Erugo proceeded to list the true qualities of an Ngwa person, which,he noted, are rooted in his tradition, and urged the people to keep hold of all the good qualities that have made Ngwa who they are today and avoid borrowing vices.
The erudite don further explained the concept of ‘umunna’ as the traditional communal governance unit and the collective decision-making body in all matters affecting the kindred or community.
He also explained that “the word ‘ehila’ literally means ‘big’, ‘great’, ‘huge’, or ‘large’, particularly in number, strength, capacity, or power.”
He added that whatever interpretation is given to the adjective ‘ehila’, it must be one philosophically describing how big, great, or huge the umunna could be and the strength, capacity, or power of the umunna in the traditional Ngwa setting.
He reminded the Ngwa nation that umunna is central to its communal existence as the most important unit of Igbo society and provides communal solidarity, social support, security, just as it is “a system for collective decision-making and a framework for resolving disputes.”
Elucidating further, he said that “Ngwaness: Umunna ehila” demands that the Ngwa people should continue, improve and modernise the provision of social support, including emotional, financial, material and practical physical support to one another, especially during social or other events such as traditional marriages, funerals, and others in their strength, without the observable abuses.
An illustrious Ngwa son and Archbishop of the Aba Ecclesiastical Province of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Isaac Nwaobia, on his part, urged the Ngwa people to use the occasion to come together “because in Africa, no one lives by himself, and it is only when people come together that they can achieve something good.”
He explained further that the keynote lecture made it “so clear” that irrespective of anybody’s position, status or title, the community is far bigger than anybody.
Speaking too, Barr. Chibuike Nwokeukwu, SAN said that the Ngwa Day celebration is an opportunity for the Ngwa not just to get together but to thank God for seeing them through a year and prepare for the new year.
Another Ngwa son and Executive Director of the National Institute of Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Professor Ogbonna Onuoha, said that the most important thing the Ngwa people should take home from the Ngwa Day is unity, stressing the need to come together and pay less emphasis on money.
Chairman of the Planning Committee of the 2025 Ngwa Day, Dr Chukwuma Ofor, said that the concept of Ngwa Day celebration was all about finding another route to bringing together a people that have been divided by politics, as well as ensuring the preservation of their cultural heritage.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Otti (4th right), Sen. Abaribe (3rd left) and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) at the gathering.
