Item Residents in Aba Celebrate Cultural Day with Pomp
Saturday, November 8, 2025, was a memorable day for the Item people residing in Aba as they celebrated their 2025 Cultural Day with colour, glamour, and unprecedented pomp.
The epoch-making event, which drew a record crowd, was held at the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, Aba, under the distinguished chairmanship of Rt. Hon. Dr. Cosmas Ndukwe, former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and an illustrious son of Item.
The attendance was unprecedented. Sons and daughters of the nine villages of Item—Apu-Añu, Akanu, Amaekpu, Amaeke, Amokwe, Okagwe, Okai, Okoko, and Umuakpaeme turned out in their resplendent traditional attires for the historic event.
The colourful event also attracted a large number of in-laws, friends, government officials, politicians, religious leaders, traditional rulers, youths, and other dignitaries from far and near.
In his opening remarks, Rt. Hon. Ndukwe commended the organizers, the Item Development Association (IDA), Aba Branch, for hosting the successful event, noting that culture remains a vital tool for promoting peace, unity and development.
He expressed satisfaction with the impressive turnout and thanked all who graced the occasion for identifying with them noting that the unity and peaceful spirit of the gathering reflected the progressive disposition of the Item people.
He urged the people to continue to foster love, peace, and unity for the overall development of their community and called on other Abia communities to emulate the Item people by investing in cultural promotion and community development.
Speaking, the member representing Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency, Chief Alex Ikwechegh, popularly known as ‘Onyeocha la Aba’ applauded the unity and organizational capacity of the Item people, describing the celebration as a reaffirmation of the community’s commitment to preserving its culture and identity amidst modern influences.
He emphasized the need for the younger generation to embrace their roots and uphold the values that define the Item people — hard work, integrity, and communal spirit.
The celebration featured captivating displays of traditional music, masquerade performances, age-grade parades, native cuisine exhibitions, and a colourful procession of the nine villages that make up Item.
Each group performed unique dances and displayed distinctive attires that reflected the uniqueness of their common heritage.
The atmosphere was electrified as the crowd cheered to the rhythm of drums, flute tunes, and artistry of Oboni, Achumpi, Ikperikpe Ogu, Udunkuru, Ajonkwu, Ite Mbe among others that reflected the community’s deep-rooted cultural expressions.
Awards of excellence were also presented to distinguished sons and daughters for their contributions to the progress of Item land, Abia State, the nation and humanity at large.
The event was a resounding success, with attendees expressing their pride in their cultural heritage and their commitment to preserving and promoting it for future generations.
The organizers expressed gratitude to guests and participants for making the event memorable, assuring that next year’s edition would be even bigger and better.
The Item Cultural Day Celebration is a unifying platform for all Item indigenes, serving as a reminder of their shared heritage and a catalyst for collective development efforts.
The following personalities bared their mind on the occasion in a chat with Jideofor Ugwanyi, the Publisher of Signal Magazine. Excerpts.
Barr. Goddy Agu
(Secretary-General, Amokwe Item Welfare Union, National)
I am highly impressed with our 2025 Cultural Day Celebration. Everything went well. The nine villages of Item turned out in their numbers to showcase our unity and rich cultural heritage. The event serves as a rallying point for our people to plan for the development of our community. We showcased our cultural dances and masquerades including Oboni, Ikperikpe Ogu, Achumpi, Udunkuru, and Ite Mbe. Back home, Item Day is celebrated every December 30, and Akanu Item will host this year’s edition. There is nothing fetish about our culture—it is our heritage. I appreciate the hospitality of Aba indigenes. Since our forefathers settled here, we have lived in peace and contributed to the city’s development. Our culture is our pride, and it is through events like this that we reconnect with our roots, strengthen our unity, and inspire our younger generation to uphold the ideals of hard work, honesty, and service.
Chief Ndubuisi Ogbonnaya
(MD/CEO, Ndy-Swiss Oil and Gas)
Our 2025 Cultural Day was a huge success. This is the first edition of Item Day in Aba, and it has brought us together to know ourselves better and showcase our culture. We also used the opportunity to raise funds for the construction of a central hall for all Item people in Aba. Unity is strength, and by coming together like this, we can achieve great things. I urge our people to remain united and for all Abians to live peacefully.
Prince Emole Egburuonu Igwe
(Chairman, Apu-Añu Item Development Union, Aba Branch)
We gathered to showcase our culture and identity. We were among the early settlers in Aba and have lived peacefully with the Ngwa people. Our dances and masquerades—such as Udunkuru, Achumpi, Ajonkwu, Ikperikpe Ogu, and Oboni—reflect who we are. Our culture is our pride.
Deacon Onuoha Jeremiah
(Chairman, Amaeke Item, Aba Branch)
Today’s celebration doubles as a fund-raising event. Each of the nine villages has its own unique heritage. For example, Amaeke is known for its Ikoro, which never travels outside Item. Although Christianity has affected some aspects of our culture, we must preserve the good ones and pass them on.
Prince Azu Emmanuel
I am from Apu-Añu Item. Our culture is our root, our identity, and our pride. We should not abandon it because of Western influence. The lesson of this celebration is that modernization is good, but our culture defines us. I urge all Item people to remain peaceful and united, and for Nigerians to embrace equality and love.
Prince Shedrack Ikpa Ogbonnaya
(Assistant Secretary, Umuakpaeme Item Development Union, Aba Branch)
We organized this celebration to show that Item people are still strong and visible in Aba. We played a key role in the city’s development. We must continue to love one another and work together to move Item forward.
Nnamdi Isaac Ogbonnaya (Sakatan)
(Vice Chairman, Okagwe Item, Aba Branch)
We need to build a befitting hall here in Aba to serve as our central meeting place. This will show that Item people have a strong presence in Aba and continue to contribute to its progress.
Uche Ejikeme Onwuchekwa Elechi (Omeziri Ibe I of Akanu Item)
(Chairman, Akanu Item Welfare Union, Aba Branch)
After the Aba indigenes, Item is one of the largest communities here. Our cultural day is to remind the people that we are still part of Aba’s fabric. We also used the occasion to raise funds for our proposed ultra-modern hall. Tradition existed before the church—it is part of who we are, and it teaches us many lessons about unity, respect, honesty and service.
Friday Igwe Johnson (Chairman, Amaekpu Item, Aba Branch)
The gathering was aimed at showcasing our rich cultural heritage. If you look around, you will see many masquerades. Our Amaekpu people came with the Oboni, which is traditionally not seen openly, and that is why they made a closet for it. It has attracted a large crowd. We are proud to display this part of our tradition. Beyond the cultural display, the event was also an opportunity to raise funds for our community hall in Aba. We gave out our first hall at No. 171 Azikiwe Road, known as Item Okpi Hall, to a church. Since then, we have not built another. We hope that after this event, we can begin efforts to build a befitting hall at the heart of the city. Let me also use the occasion to call for peace and unity among the people of Item, Abia State, and the nation at large. Let us cool down and maintain peace. For example, in Abia State today, there is a visible and drastic change in government. Some of us who live at Ohanku can testify—before, that area was a no-go zone, but today you can take a keke from Ohanku and in five minutes you are at Ngwa Road. I commend the present administration in Abia State for its developmental strides and urge the citizens to sustain peace and continuity in governance. If we maintain peace, unity, and continuity in government, within the next six years, Abia State will be the envy of the nation.
