By Gabriel Ameh
The capital city of Abuja came alive as distinguished Igbo leaders, culture custodians, women advocates, and residents gathered for the Igbo Amaka Fest and Legacy Awards, a ceremony dedicated to celebrating excellence and promoting unity in Igbo land. With the theme “Odinma Ndi Igbo – Excellent Heritage and Unity,” the event served as a rallying point for cultural revival and recognition of iconic achievements.
This year, Comrade Sandra Ogbonna, the dynamic Chairperson of NILOWV FCT Chapter, received one of the evening’s highest recognitions for her remarkable leadership, policy advocacy, and empowerment of women and girls across Nigeria. Her active role in supporting women in government and advancing the Bill for Women’s Rights earned her loud ovation.
In her emotional acceptance remarks, she pledged unwavering support to the annual festival and dedicated the honor to the Igbo community worldwide, thanking her supporters for believing in her mission.
“This is not just my award it belongs to every Igbo woman striving to lead, to every girl-child hoping to rise, and to the community that nurtures us. I will continue to stand for women’s voices and support Igbo Amaka Fest as long as God gives me strength,” she said.
Her husband, Mr. Ogbonna, joined her on stage to express pride in her achievements and gratitude to the organizers for recognizing her years of service and advocacy.
POWERFUL CULTURAL INSIGHTS FROM SPEAKERS
The event reached a reflective depth with a keynote cultural address by Dr. Mrs. Chineyere, who highlighted the legacy of Igbo traditions and the essential role of language preservation in sustaining identity. She emphasized that the Igbo language is a cultural treasure that must be preserved from extinction.
“Language gives life to culture. If Igbo survives, our stories survive,” she proclaimed.
The royal presence of HRH Egwe Echendu added prominence to the event. In his fatherly remarks, he dwelled on the sacredness of the kola nut, the dignity of Igbo customs, and the collective responsibility of unity.
“Kola nut is the heartbeat of Igbo spirituality. It symbolizes peace, respect, and unity. Our future depends on staying united,” he emphasized.
MEDIA360IMPACT POST-EVENT INTERVIEW
Speaking to Media360Impact, Comrade Sandra called on organizations, government institutions, and Igbo communities in the diaspora to contribute to the growth of the festival.
“Igbo Amaka Fest is more than an event—it is a cultural investment. I urge all Igbo people abroad to support this project. Together, we can build a stronger cultural identity for our children and generations to come.”
She also encouraged youth to embrace Igbo values of hard work, discipline, respect, and excellence qualities she described as the pillars of Igbo global success.
The ceremony concluded with musical performances, cultural displays, and presentations to other distinguished awardees, leaving participants inspired and united by the shared pride of being Igbo.
