OHURU DAY RETURNS IN GRAND STYLE AFTER 20 YEARS

OHURU DAY RETURNS IN GRAND STYLE AFTER 20 YEARS
.Ohuru Honours Ukwa East Mayor, Hon. Chibunna Akara, Sir Prince Amos, Mrs. Matilda Anyamele .Launches Security Architecture

After two decades in abeyance, the people of Ohuru in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, on Friday, December 26, 2025, joyfully revived their annual cultural festival, popularly known as Ohuru Day, amid pomp, pageantry and widespread jubilation.

The colourful event, which took place at Ohuru Central School, marked a new dawn for the community following decades of communal crisis that halted the event.

The ceremony was held under the distinguished chairmanship of Sir Prince Amos.

Members of the seven villages that make up Ohuru—Umuadaka, Osuogwu, Obeaja, Umuogazi, Umuodo, Umuakara and Ukebe—turned out in their numbers, resplendent in colourful traditional attires, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the community.

Attendance was unprecedented as friends, well-wishers and eminent personalities from within and outside Abia State graced the occasion.

The programme commenced with an opening prayer by Ven. Lams Ahunanya, who thanked God for unity, peace and the successful revival of Ohuru Day after 20 years hiatus.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Sir Prince Amos, expressed delight at being part of what he described as an epoch-making event.

He commended the people of Ohuru for their resilience and urged them to sustain unity and commitment to community development.

He particularly praised the executive of Ohuru Development Union (ODU), led by Engr. Nnanna Darlington, for reviving the annual celebration and encouraged sustained support for the union’s development efforts.

Sir Prince Amos also lauded the Executive Chairman/Mayor of Ukwa East LGA, Hon. Pastor Chibunna Akara, an illustrious son of Ohuru, for his quality leadership and visible achievements in the area within a short time in office.

Delivering his address, the Chairman of Ohuru Development Union (ODU), Engr. Nnanna Darlington, described the occasion as a major milestone in the history of Ohuru, aimed at promoting cultural heritage and fast-tracking social, economic and security development.

He explained that the grand civic reception in honour of Hon. Pastor Chibunna Akara was in recognition of his outstanding achievements in human, capital and infrastructural development, which align with the transformation agenda of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR).

Engr. Darlington also appreciated the efforts of the member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chief Chris Nkwonta, and the State House of Assembly member, Hon. Lewis Obianyi, particularly for empowerment initiatives and the donation of a generating set to the community health centre.

He listed achievements of ODU under his watch to include restoration of peace, settlement of disputes, revitalization of communal programmes, opening and running of a functional community account, maintenance of security, and payment of stipends to corps members, teachers, PTAs and auxiliary health workers.

Despite these strides, he noted that the community still faces challenges such as poor electricity supply, vandalization of infrastructure, inadequate security, deplorable condition of the civic hall, poor road network, shortage of teachers, and the need to renovate the corps members’ lodge and teachers’ quarters.

Thereafter, he formally announced the launch of Ohuru Community Security Architecture and appealed for collective support.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a Bible and a classy giant glass portrait to the Mayor of Ukwa East LGA, Hon. Pastor Chibunna Akara by the ODU executive after which he was decorated with a wrapper in recognition of his remarkable leadership of Ukwa East LGA and unwavering commitment to the promotion of peace and development of Ohuru.

The union described him as a true grassroots leader and a man of the people who has not disappointed them since assuming office.

Speaking amid cheers, Hon. Akara burst into songs of praise and thanked God for His grace upon his life and the community quoting several Bible passages.

He expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers, elders, women, youths and entire people of Ohuru for their overwhelming support, describing himself as a grassroots leader who understands the community’s challenges adding that his emergence as the Executive Chairman of Ukwa East LGA is the fulfilment of divine purpose.

He assured the people that from next year, his administration would directly focus on: restoration of electricity to Ohuru, including stepping down the existing high-tension line, strengthening community security through collaboration with security agencies and local vigilantes, tarring of Ohuru road, which he has earlier graded, improving primary and secondary schools, including better learning environments, protection of public infrastructure and properties belonging to residents at home and in the diaspora among others.

He stressed that peace, unity and vigilance were critical to sustaining development and warned against vandalism of public infrastructure.

He said that security is a collective responsibility and disclosed that serious measures had been put in place to protect lives and property within the community.

Hon. Akara also appealed for peace, love and unity, stating that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of harmony.

He concluded by commending Governor Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his people-oriented leadership and urged the people of Ohuru to continue supporting his administration.

Also decorated during the ceremony were Sir Prince Amos and Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Matilda Chinonyerem Anyamele, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Arts and Culture, who both pledged continued support for peace, unity and development in Ohuru.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of ODU and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Elder Chris Azubuike Ugbor, thanked God for the successful revival of Ohuru Day after 20 years.

He disclosed plans by the union to strengthen community security, rehabilitate schools and market, provide potable water, and improve overall living conditions in Ohuru.

In his goodwill message, Hon. Chief Chris Nkwonta who arrived earlier before other VIP guests, applauded the revival of Ohuru Day and donated generously towards the community’s newly launched security architecture before departing for other engagements.

He described security as everyone’s responsibility and assured the people of his continued support.

Other speakers, including Senior Special Apostle Innocent (Nwa Samuel Ekeke) Ugbor praised the ODU leadership and Hon. Chibunna Akara for their commitment to the development of Ohuru.

The ceremony climaxed with a grand reception at Hon. Chibunna Akara’s country home, distribution of bags of rice to the villages, security personnel and other beneficiaries, as well as cultural displays.

Prominent personalities in attendance included Hon. Chief Uche Aja, Hon. Ugochukwu Nwadede Ukaegbu (Deputy Mayor of Ugwunagbo LGA), Hon. Chief Chima Ekeke, Ven. Lams Ahunanya, Prince Izu Azu Egege, HRH Eze Engr. Ogbonna H. Nwagbara, HRH Eze Ikeagwula Ekeke, Justice Nwagboso Okere (a.k.a Dr. Nwakumbe), Evangelist Evidence Ogbonna (Financial Secretary, ODU), Comrade Nwachukwu Kingsley Chisom, Hon. Elvis Wabara, Sir Emma Kanu, Hon. Sam Okere, Ugbor Emmanuel Chima, among many other personalities, top government officials, notable politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders and captains of industry.

The successful celebration marked a new dawn for Ohuru, signalling renewed unity, peace and a collective resolve for sustainable development.