Amaiyi Day Ends with Call for Renewed Commitment to Community Development

The 4th edition of Amaiyi Day, held on 5 January 2026, concluded with a strong call on sons and daughters of Amaiyi Okpo to renew their commitment to the development of the community.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Ifere Ogbonnaya Ubi (Akpatu), represented by Elder Josh Kalu Ubi, urged the people to actively support community development initiatives, noting that collective commitment remains the key to sustained progress in Amaiyi.

He commended the Amaiyi Ambassadors for reawakening the developmental consciousness of the people and for initiating impactful projects, including the construction of internal roads using cement technology. According to him, such efforts reflect true patriotism, stressing that every son and daughter of the community is expected to participate in the growth and advancement of Amaiyi.

Delivering a lecture titled “The Value of Oneness and Its Effect on Our Community,” Professor Alex Kalu Ikeogu, represented by Mr. Ndu Ndu Ogbonnaya, emphasized that unity has continued to shape the growth of the community despite its diverse family backgrounds. He explained that the spirit of unity reduces division and rivalry, while promoting peace and collective progress.

He noted that the success of one compound positively impacts others, adding that when people embrace oneness, peace becomes easier to achieve and development thrives. According to him, this spirit of unity gave birth to the Amaiyi Ambassadors, which has helped bridge gaps among compounds within Amaiyi. He added that this unity has also strengthened the relationship between Amaiyi Ambassadors at home and those in the diaspora, leading to developmental projects such as the ongoing road construction from Mgbo-Oba to Ugwu Okoronkwo, which is still being extended to other areas.

In his remarks, the President General of Amaiyi Ambassadors, Chief Monday Kalu Okorie, stated that Amaiyi Ambassadors is not just a name but an identity, noting that all sons and daughters of the community are ambassadors of Amaiyi. He explained that the movement emerged from a collective resolve by the people to prevent a recurrence of the crises that previously led to loss of lives in the community.

Sir Israel Aggrey applauded the people for successfully organizing the event and stressed that identity is essential to communal wellbeing. He described Amaiyi as embodying intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge that complete Okpo, adding that the community has shown leadership in crisis resolution. He appealed for peace and unity, warning that Okpo must never be allowed to fragment into separate identities, despite challenges faced by communities elsewhere.

Contributing, philanthropist Engr. Emmanuel Olihe assured the people that through his foundation, Emmanuel Chris Oru NGO, he would sponsor the registration of WAEC examinations for all students schooling in the village and support them through university education upon admission, including the provision of essential school materials.

A major highlight of the event was the recognition of families of heroes and heroines who lost their lives during a community clash with a neighbouring village Okwa in Cross River State in 2007. Those honoured included Sunny Peter, Nnenne Kalu Agwu, Mr. Omai Ikiti, Ndu Ben (System), Chidi Ndu Obasi, Mr. Peter Okwun, Okpei Nwa Joshua, and Chidi Nne Nkwo, alongside humanitarian support for their families.

The Amaiyi Day celebration, which concluded on 5 January 2026, also featured the re-election of the incumbent President General, Chief Monday Kalu Okorie, and Elder Ufere Ndu as Vice President of Amaiyi Ambassadors on 3 January. Other activities included a football competition and a spiritual revival held on 4 January.

Dignitaries present at the event included Chief Kalu Njoku Ifi (Sir Osco) Ezeogo Amaiyi Okpo, Deacon Joseph Ndu Ama, Eze Exiukwu compound, Chief Kalu Agwu, Eze Ndi Ama compound, Deacon Martin Ifere David, Eze Ndi Ifere compound, Chief Patrick O. Ufere, Eze Ndi Ubi compound and Chief Kalu Udoka, Eze Ndi Okereke-Anya compound.

Others include; Sir Kalu Uwa; a member of the Arochukwu Council, Sir Israel Aggrey; Chief and Lolo Cletus Torti Oleh; Mr Kalu Ikeogu; Mr Goddy Ikeogu, Mr Boniface Ama Kalu, Mr Rock Ikeogu, Mr Ojieke Ikeogu, Mr Emeka Okereke, Engr. Emmanuel Olihe Oru; Mr. Njoku Olihe; PG Amangwu Okpo, Joe Uba Aggrey; Mrs. Nnennaya Igbeke Sio; Mr. and Mrs. Innocent Ubi Kalu; Engr. and Mrs Lazarus Ndu Kalu; Apostle David Kalu Egbueche; Chief and Lolo Oru Nnanna; Engr. Ubi Kalu Ndu; Mr. Uchenna Okoronkwo; Mr. Ogbuji Okoronkwo; Mr. Boniface Ama Kalu; Mr Martin Skuma Anyunku, Apostle Gideon Okoronkwo, Pastor Uwa Eke; Pastor Gerald; and Mr. Emmanuel Nzere, Mr Adams Emmanuel, Mr Emmanuel Kalu Ubi, Mr Fidelis Ikeogu, Mr Ogbonnaya K. Offor, Mr Joseph K. Eke, Mr Chris Eke Obi, Mr Loveday Kalu Ojieke, Mr Okechukwu Ubi, Mr Christopher Eke Ubi, Mr Innocent Okeuike Emei, Mr John Okom Ndu, Pastor Obasi Kalu, Pastor K. K. Njoku Frank, among others.