Arthur Eze, Obi of Onitsha, Benjamin Kalu, Izunaso, Ukachukwu, Zenco, others attend Akuluno United Brothers’ end of year party in Abuja

As AUBA rolls out development plans

Starting their first annual general meeting at the luxury Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja , Nigeria from Friday, December 6 to Saturday, December 7, 2024, guests, visitors, and diplomats who were at the hotel witnessed the glamorous entrance of stylishly (white-and- white with a touch of red cap) dressed members of Akuluno United Brothers Association as they landed in grand style to deliberate on their activities in the last 11 months as well as induct new members into the Billionaires’ Club.

It was more than a dinner and end of the year party but a carnival of sorts; a night of glitz, social conviviality, and business networking. The well tailored social event was a blend of glamour and entertainment, featuring electrifying performances from top Nigerian artistes and gospel ministers, as Ichaka highlife maestro, Anyidons, Harry B, Uwaezoke, and other celebrities took turns to thrill their audience, special guests, business associates and friends of Akuluno United Brothers Association who came strictly on invitation.

The event which took place at the prestigious BMO Event Hall, River Park, Ahmadu Bello Way, Wuse ll, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, witnessed prominent figures from the South east, established billionaire businessmen, captains of industry, senators, foreign diplomats, road construction giants, key players in the Nigerian oil & gas industry, real estate moguls, and doyens of tourism and hospitality business, who gathered to celebrate Akuluno United Brothers’ one year anniversary, a journey of resilience, speedy growth, service to humanity, and unwavering commitment to develop the South Eastern region.

The glamourous night was a dazzling tribute for the founder, president, board of trustees, and founding members of Akuluno United Brothers Association to celebrate a shared vision of service to God and humanity, recorded achievements in just one year of existence, accelerated business breakthroughs in various sectors, community development, and the promotion of Igbo rich cultural heritage.

While all were seated on arrival of the President, Akuluno United Brothers Association, High Chief & Lolo Mike Duru Ejiogu (Onowu Anara), the grand patron, AUBA, Prince Arthur Eze (Ozoigbondu), royal father of the day, HRM Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Obi of Onitsha), chairman of the occasion, High Chief Ifeanyi Clement Okorie (Enyi Waa l of Ishiagu Kingdom), and special guest of honour, Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the event opened with a stirring rendition of the national anthem, setting a patriotic tone for the business of the day followed by a heartwarming opening prayer.

In his opening remarks, Chief Evans Chukwukadibia Emesim (Okwumereze l of Ukpor, Ononikpo Ogaranya), Founder, Akuluno United Brothers Association, while welcoming members of the elitist social club, AUBA, and invited special guests, appreciated them for their unwavering commitment, immense contributions, always standing strong and united as brothers no matter the circumstances in the spirit of ‘Nwane Malu Nwanneya.’

Admitting that the journey has not been an easy one, he, however, expressed deep gratitude to the leadership and founding members of the association for remaining resolute to the core values of unity, solidarity, service, support to one another, upliftment of community, and promotion of Igbo rich cultural heritage.

Majestically mounting the podium alongside his amiable wife to give a rather presidential speech, the soft speaking but highly cerebral Mike Ejiogu, National President of Akuluno United Brothers’ Association, extended deepest gratitude to the National Founder and expanded excos of the association for their unflinching support and guide as he pilots the affairs of the most formidable social club in the South Eastern Nigeria, AUBA.

Ejiogu said: “Today, we gather for the maiden annual general meeting of Akuluno United Brothers Association, a momentus occasion that marks our collective journey towards progress and unity. I am honoured to stand before you as President.

“I recall the early days when we were articulating this idea; I was burden about the potentials of our people and the opportunities that existed if their potentials could be harnessed towards the highest productivity while I reflected on the trajectory of my own life. By the grace of God, I was fortunate to share my concerns with some members of this association who immediately bought into the vision and ensured that we birthed it.

Projecting the South Eastern Nigeria as the most progressive region in Africa within the next 10 years through the robust economic developmental activities of the association, President of AUBA, High Chief ike Ejiogu, rolled out the interim developmental agenda of the association which included: the establishment of Akuluno Medical School in the South East of Nigeria, awarding B.sc degrees to develop the capacities of our youths in the medical profession.

The registration and establishment of Akuluno Holdings Company which will birth Akuluno Microfinance Bank to generate employment for our people and fund initiatives across the region. The special funds of two billion naira mapped out for the two projects through the commitment of the membership fees.

He therefore, urged members of the association to keep working together to create opportunities, promote development, and up flight communities in the South East to its highest level of development.

Grand patron of the association and Chief host, Prince Arthur Eze, who is the Chairman, Atlas Oranto Petroleum, saluted the tenacity, resilience, and resolute of AUBA in coming together united in one purpose of developing the South East, maintaining that he is proud to be associated with them.

In supporting their proposed mega projects, Ozoigbondu, Arthur Eze na Okpo , pledged N200 million while senator Nicholas Ukachukwu pledged N100 million.

Chairman of the occasion, Akuluno High Chief Ifeanyi Celement Okorie (Enyi Waa Uzo l of Ishiagu Kingdom, who is the CEO, Rock Results Group), while making a donation of N55million commended the national president, founder, and members of the association for the milestone they have recorded within one year of formation, asking God to give them direction and the commitment needed to keep pushing the frontiers of the prominent and powerful social club that is barely 8 months into existence.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was the special guest of honour, Benjamin Kalu hailed the bouyant heart of the association for complimenting the efforts of the federal government and the various state governments in the South East by bringing development back home.

Highlighting the federal government’s commitment to ensuring equal spread of projects in all the regions of the federation, Kalu urged members of Akuluno United Brothers Association and ndi Igbo in general to throw their support behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration as he meant well for the South East.

Recalling the sleepless nights of pushing and lobbying to get the South East Development Commission, he happily announced that the commission is today a reality with the inauguration of the chairman and board members, signaling a new era of regional integration and equal development.

Kalu, however, saluted the association for being a financial powerhouse in championing the cause of developmental projects across the various states in the South Eastern Nigeria, urging the members to keep using their God given wealth to develop Ala Igbo instead of concentrating only in Lagos and Abuja.

Allying their fears on the insecurity situation in the South East, Kalu affirmed that Igbo leaders would continue to plead with the President for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu, since it is a clarion call that would automatically address the security challenge in the region and ensure accelerated economic development so that the next end of the year party of the noble association would be hosted back home instead of outside Ala Igbo.

With a strong focus on the South Eastern part of Nigeria to propel the economic advancement and development of the local economy by bringing back home wealth creation and job opportunities through sustainable business establishments and productive engagement of the people, Akuluno United Brothers Association has stood out in the comity of prominent social clubs in Nigeria and across Africa.

Dignitaries at the event, include His Royal Majesty, Mc-Anthony Okonkwo
Igwe Elibe of Alor Kingdom, Sen. Osita Izunaso, Sen.Tony Nworgu, Emeka Nwogu, Henry Nwawuba, High Chief Mike Duru Ejiogu, High Chief Ifeanyi Okorie, High Chief Gideon Chidiebere Osi (Ikenga Ishiagu, Ist vice President), High Chief Coleman Chinedu Nwafor (Ebube Isuofia, second vice president) , Chief Chijioke Nneji (Dike Eji Mara Mba, third vice President), Chief Ebere Goodwill Uzozie( Ezechinmere 1 of Umuezedike, Onwa Umuobom Kingdom) Chief Gilbert Igweke ( Okpataozuorah 1Ukpor Kingdom), Chief Olisa Greg Nwoye (Afunwa Elote Nna), Chief Ozo Kene Ekwueme (Ozo Ejiamatu Na Nibo), Chief Prince Joseph Okafor ( Mmiri Oma Eji Anu Ogwu Ihiala), Chief Nicky Jonas Okeke (Ikenga Orsu), Chief Ndirimasi Nkemjika Henry ( Ikukuoma Orlu), Chief Tochukwu Aniawonwa (Eze Nyana Chie Di Na Nma Ojoto), Chief AMB Odoh Emmanuel (Odogwu N’ Nsukka ), Chief Chukwudi Linus Ikwuka (Mmiri Na Ezoro Oha I Na Ezinifite), Chief Obinna Ugozu (Igwe Ndede 1 Of Alor Kingdom), Chief Peter Chukwudi Nwakaeze (Ugochukwukwara Na Okija Kingdom), Dr. Livnus Okorie, Michael Crown Njoku, among others.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the association’s cake as the colourful event ended in an atmosphere of social conviviality and camaraderie as different food cuisine and expensive champagne were served the guests who had more than enough to eat, drink, and merry while thanking God for a productive year.