INAUGURAL IGBO
NATIONAL CONVENTION ORDER Of BROCHURE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS Day 1 Business Forum • Introdution of guests • Speech by Mr. Tony Ekpechue on the business forum • Cutting of Tape to declare Convention open • Round tour of the stands • Speech by the Special Guest Minister Leo Varadka • Speech by Nigerian Ambassador Felix Pwol • Speech by Sen. Ben Obi (Chair of the event) • Closing remarks / Question and Answer session, moderated by Onyendu Kelechi Onwmereh • Tea and coffe. GALA NITE • Introdution of M.Cs • Introduction of members of the high table • Opening prayer • Introduction of event • Chairman’s opening remark • Music by Debb Sandy • Drama presentation • Music by Big J • Fundraising • Award Presentations • Dinner / Music by Jesse Rose • Dance Dance Dance • Vote of Thanks Day 2 Cultural Fiesta • Introduction of M.Cs • Introduction of members of the high table • Opening prayer • Chairman’s opening remark • Breaking of Kola nuts • Music / Band performance • Inauguration of Women Executive • Iwa ji Ceremony • Drama by the IGBO language students • Cultural dances / Cultural troupes • Refreshment Day 3 • Interdenominational Church Service • Thanksgiving and Intercession • Women’s Conference
President Goodluck Jonathan President of Nigeria
Felix Pwol
Nigeria Ambassador to Ireland
Enda Kenny TD Taoiseach Prime Minister of Ireland
Leo Varadka TD
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport
Sen Ben Obi (Ojeligbo) Special Adviser to Nigeria President on Inter- party affairs
Chief Gary Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo 1st Igbo Citizen and Father of Convention
Dr. Linus Offiah and family congratulate Ndigbo in Ireland for their Inaugural National Convention. Umu Igbo, Chukwu gozie unu. Dr. Linus Offiah Patron IUD
Kieran Dennison Mayor of Fingal Council
Hon. Toby Okechukwu Toby (Convention Champion)
Onyendu Kelechi Onwumereh Chairman IGBO Union
Nkechi Mbachu Deputy Leader Igbo Union
Executive members of Igbo Union Dublin. Starting from left: Kennedy Nnannah, Anayo Nnaji, Onyinye Anyanwu, Ifeoma Oduntan, Kelechi JK Onwumereh, Innocent Chukwuezie, Iyke Iheboam, Adimorah Glen Eneh (former Onyendu), Alex Alino and Sunny Agu
Convention Message by Onye Ndu
I would like to express the sincere joy and sense of achievement of Ndigbo in Ireland on the occasion of our Inaugural Igbo National Convention. The idea to organise this momentous event as part of the Gathering Ireland 2013 inward tourism initiative was borne out of the need to roll out a programme that would bring all Igbos together to celebrate our unique attributes as a nation of people in Ireland. There are about six thousand Igbo nationals resident in Ireland, making the group possibly the second largest single ethnic minority African group in Ireland. Collectively, there are about sixty million Igbos at home in the South-East of Nigeria as well as in the Diaspora who are known to be progressively minded and a well-adjusted group of people whose drive and focus is to achieve for self and host community. The Igbos are educated, widely traveled and incredibly republican and egalitarian in political outlook. This programme, through the Gathering Ireland 2013 offers an opportunity for other Igbos from around the world to visit Ireland to celebrate with us. The Igbos in Ireland are proud to be called the ‘New Irish’ and happy to supporting the Irish economy. The event includes: · Afro-Irish Business Connect and Trade Show which will take place on Friday 20th September in the Carlton Hotel, Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15. This event is geared towards celebrating migrant businesses and progressive initiatives involving migrant and Irish business leaders who promote growth in the Irish economy. · Gala Entertainment and Awards Night which will take place at the same venue on Friday 20th September. It would set the stage to confer excellence awards and recognition on deserving individuals, groups and organizations. The Mayor of Fingal County Council plus other special guests are expected to grace the occasion. We congratulate all those who will receive award and recognition as well as our new patron. Music will be supplied by Debsandy, Big Jay and Jesse Rose. · Our Multi-Cultural activity Day which will take place in the National Show Centre in Cloghran near Swords. The event will showcase ‘Iwaji’ (the world famous New Yam festival), Drama in Igbo, Cultural dance, Masquerade, Music by Reggae Messiah and Big Jay. · On Sunday 22nd September, we will have an Interdenominational Church Service, Thanksgiving and Women’s Conference in the Mulhuddart Community Centre. We thank the team of Clergy (Pastor Austin Francis, Rev Obinna Ulogwara and Fr. Cornelius Nwogwugwu and Stephen. Grace Amah and others are committed to ensuring that we enjoy quality worship and thanksgiving service. We have invited notable Igbo citizens from Nigeria, UK and other parts of Europe to join Igbos here in Ireland to celebrate with other migrants and to underscore the need to encourage hard work and progressive initiatives. We are grateful to the Minister Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Sports, Transport and Tourism for declaring our events open. We also wish to thank Senator Ben Ndi Obi our Special Father of Convention for putting so much on hold to grace our events all the way from Nigeria. We would also like to thank the President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Gary Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey for his blessing. Unfortunately, Chief Enwo-Igariwey could not attend due to pressing engagements at home. He is ably represented by Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, the Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary and Chief Isaac Wonwu, the Deputy Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. I would like to thank the Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland and Iceland Mr Felix Yussufu Pwol and the entire Diplomatic team in Dublin for their support and goodwill. We also thank other diplomats at our events. Special thanks go to our sponsors Fingal County Council, Community Credit Union, MH Ventures, Fingal County Enterprise Board, Nelson Mbachu, our Patron Dr Linus Offiah and many more individuals and affiliate groups who offered their support. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of members of the Steering Committee led by Dr Prosper Chinedu Obioha. To you all, especially my wife Julia and children, I remain eternally grateful. Kelechi JK Onwumereh Onyendu.
Steering Committee
Tony Ekpechue
Adaku Okafor Ezeudo Media and Publicity
Finance
Dr. Prosper Obioha Chairman
Sunny Agu Media and Publicity
Mrs. Nkechi Nnamdi Mbachu Women and Hospitality
Glen Adimora Home and International Liason
Onyinye Anyanwu Women Leader
DR AND MRS PROSPER. OBIOHA Good people of Ndigbo Ireland, as we celebrate the Inaugural Igbo Annual National Convention, my family and i wish to congratulate the leadership of Igbo Union Dublin and members of the convention planning committee for a wonderful job well done. We pray for the success of the entire convention and God’s abundant reward as we support the course of Ndigbo. Dr. Prosper Obioha. Chairman Steering Committee.
OLAEDO WOMEN Julia Onwumereh, Agnes Njoku, Nkechi Mbachu, Tina Odoem Dorothy Onwueme.
mene, Lynda Wilson Okwor, Chika Okafor and
Grace Onyinye Anyanwu Igbo Union Women Leader
Umunnem, it is with delight and pride that I congratulate Ndigbo in Ireland for achieving this milestone through the organisation of the 1st Igbo National Convention in Ireland. We are indeed a great nation. Toms Emeka Ugwu, Ezejaoha 1 of Orba Udenu LGA Enugu State, Chairman Nsukka District Welfare Association Ireland.
Agnes Njoku
Felicitate with the Igbo Union on their Inaugural National Convention
Chike and Ebele Okebugwu wish Ndigbo success in all we do here and at home. Warm greetings to our leaders coming from Nigeria especially, High Chief Senator Ben Ndi Obi, Special adviser to the President. Long live Igbo Union Ireland.
Mike Erugo and Family Rejoice with Igbo Union on their inaugural National Convention. Igbo amaka!
Mbano Community, Ireland felicitates with Igbo Union, Dublin on this auspicious occasion of their Inaugural National Convention. Igbo ga adi ooooo Mbano Kwenu; Onye aghala nwanneya. Meeting day; Last Sunday of every month. Ya diri nwoke mma, dikwara nwanyi mma oooooo. Sylvester Ibe Chairman 0861091037 & 0894891817
Kenneth Chukwu General Secretary. 0871948941 & 0894795507
Ndi Mbaise bi n’ Ireland felicitates with Igbo Union, Ireland on the occasion of their Inaugural National Convention. Igbo ga adi ooooo Mbaise bu oke mba! Ohanaeze Kwenu, Kwenu, Kwezuo nu; Mbaise na si - Onye aghala nwanneya. Meeting day: Last Sunday of every month. Venue: St Andrew’s Community Centre, Rialto, Dublin 9 Chinedu Amaechi Chris Ugwuegbulem Interim President Interim General Secretary 0870912479 0870991339
WITH PLEASURE AND PRIDE, IDEATO UNION IRELAND WISH TO CONGRATULATE IGBO UNION IRELAND AT THIS OCCASION OF THEIR INAUGURAL IGBO NATIONAL CONVENTION. WE WISH IGBO UNION IRELAND SUCCESS IN THEIR EFFORT IN CHAMPIONING THE UNITY AND PROGRESS OF NDIGBO IN IRELAND AND WISH TO PLEDGE OUR CONTINUED AND UNALLOYED SUPPORT OF IGBO UNION IRELAND- IGBO KWE EE NU. Are you from Ideato North/South Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria? Are your parent(s) from Ideato? Are you in a relationship with someone from Ideato? Do you have relatives from Ideato? Are you interested in Ideato? We would like to hear from you. Meeting Date: Second Sunday of every Two Months. Venue: Rotational. Next Meeting Date: 13 October 2013; Venue: Swords.
Contact: 0894781212/0860805283/0863232990/0871328285/0879013471/0899511517.
Nze Kennedy Nnanna and family Rejoice with IUD on their National Convention Signed Nze Kennedy Nnanna DOS Igbo Union
Chief & Lolo Albert Odoemene & family congratulates Igbo Union Dublin on their inaugural Igbo National Convention. Igbo ndi oma ya diri unu mma dikwara muna ezi n’ulom. Igbo bu oke mba. Signed: Chief Albert Odoemene
Ifeoma Oduntan and family rejoice with Igbo Union on their Inaugural National Convention
Onyendu Kelechi & Julia Onwumereh rejoice with Ndigbo on this great achievement
Ogechi Ononiwu Interim Coordinator Igbo Union Women Dublin
Anyi na ekele ndi Igbo n’ile bi na Ireland maka emume puru iche ha na-eme, karisia maka imalite ebe ana-akuzi asusu Igbo na Dublin. Ka chi anyi buru anyi uzo, kpore anyi azu mgbe n’ile, Amen Chibuzo & Alex Alino
The Venerable Obinna Ulogwara and Mrs Chika Ulogwara
On behalf of all the International Anglicans resident in Dublin and Ireland, we would like to congratulate Igbo Union, Dublin and Ireland, indeed all Igbos on this occasion of the Inaugural Igbo National Convention this year 2013. May our good Lord continue to guide and defend you on every side and at all times. We wish you all the very best as we celebrate together. May God bless richly our leadership, both men and women and may our children be blessed and be established in honour and goodness. Cheers to you all and you will all live to see many more years of this kind of event with testimonies, peace and joy. With Love from, The Venerable Obinna Ulogwara and Mrs Chika Ulogwara (Diocesan Chaplain)
Glen Eneh and family
Consequent upon the incident of Colonialism, the great Igbo Nation became an extraction of today’s entity called Nigeria. However, we are more than proud to be born Igbos, and we shall together work fervently to ensure that the Igbo Nation would not only talk the talk but walk the walk. By Prince Glen Adimoranma Eneh Former Leader (Onye Ndu), Igbo Union Dublin, Ireland.
My family wish Ndigbo a happy Inaugural Igbo National Convention Signed Reggae Messiah
13 Maple Close, Johnstown, Navan. Co. Meath, Ireland - Email: otu-umunnaclub@dublin.ie Website: www.otu-umunna.org Tel: +353 864040514 / +353 860689276 / +353879881336 / Thanks - GODI ANIUZU for OTU-UMUNNA
The Chukwuezi family, Ireland felicitates with Ndigbo in Ireland on the occasion of their 1st Igbo National Convention. Igbo mma mma nuo! Signed: Barrister Innocent Okey Chukwuezi
My Dear Wife, You are so precious a treasure that will forever remain priceless in my mind. In the home front you are a builder... upon your children, anything they want becomes your desire. To your family and friends you show unconditional love.., In service to your people .you serve them selflessly with dignity and humor . With all these God given and salient qualities as a mother, you are called upon to igbo community Dublin to serve them . On behalf of myself, & the entire family, heartily facilitate with you, the Onyedu, the Executives and the entire Igbo Community in Ireland on this occasion and wish you a successful 2013 First Igbo National Convention Ireland. We love you now and always . Nelson Mbachu & Family
HRH Eze Innocent Anyanwu, the Eze Uha 1 of Uha Kingdom in Obowo Imo State wishes to congratulate his daughter Mrs Nkechi Mbachu the Osote Onye Ndu, Igbo Union Dublin on the occasion of the Inaugural Igbo National Convention. We are proud of you. Signed EZE INNOCENT EZERIBE ANYANWU UHU 1 NDIUHU
The Family of Chief Tony and Lolo Chika Okafor Felicitate with Ndigbo on the Inaugural National Convention. Umu Igbo, unu amaka. Signed Chief Tony Okafor Nwachinemere I of Owere Ebeiri
Congratulate Ndigbo in Ireland on their1st Igbo National Convention. Signed Greg Umeh President ASA
Congratulate Igbo Union on their Inaugural Convention Chinedum Ohaekelehem
THE FAMILY OF MR/MRS BRUNO & NORAH IGWE WISH TO CONGRATULATE IGBO UNION IRELAND ON THIS OCCASION OF YOUR INAUGURAL IGBO NATIONAL CONVENTION. AS THE UMBRELLA ORGANISATION OF NDIGBO AND THE CUSTODIAN OF IGBO CULTURE/TRADITION IN IRELAND, WE ARE PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH IGBO UNION IRELAND AND WISH TO PLEDGE OUR CONTINUED AND UNALLOYED SUPPORT - IGBO KWEEEE NUUU.
THE FAMILY OF MR/MRS BRUNO/NORAH IGWE WISH TO THANK IGBO UNION DUBLIN, IDEATO UNION IRELAND, OTU-UMUNNA CLUB IRELAND, FRIENDS AND WELL-WISHERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT DURING THE LAUNCHING OF OUR DAUGHTER’S BOOK “THE SUNRISE”. WE ARE PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOU ALL AND WISH TO CONGRATULATE IGBO UNION IRELAND ON THIS OCCASION OF YOUR INAUGURAL IGBO NATIONAL COMVENTION IGBO KWEEE NUUU. FOR THE BOOK ENQUIRIES CONTACT: 0860805283/0863510707/0899515546. EMAIL: BRUNORAH12@YAHOO.COM.
Special message to my special friend and sister WE ARE PROUD OF YOU Franklyn Nwosu & family
To my sister-in-law Princess Nkechi Mbachu Ade Agbona For Agbona family.
The family of IJ and IB Okafor heartily congratulate the Onyendu Kelechi Onwumereh and the entire members of Igbo Union Dublin and the extended Igbo Union Community in Ireland on the occasion of the inaugural Igbo National Convention.
Igbo Union activities in the last 12 months
NELSON MBACHU Dr. Linus Offiah
www.africaworldnewspaper.com +353 1 873 0123