Chioma Ude, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, others bag awards

On October 17, 2015, the South Easterncity of Enugu was dazzled with the celebration of the Second OlaNdi Igbo(Jewels of Igbo) Summit, which took place at De Dome Event Place.This year's theme was “Leveraging the power of entertainment, media, technology & education for changing paradigms and future realities.”

Ola Ndi Igbo is a biennial summitorganized by a group of volunteers in Nigeria and the Diaspora that promotes values-driven change in Igboland. (Above are Chioma Ude and Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu)

Thefirst Summit was held in Lagos State in 2013 and inspired a range of initiatives to promote development in Igbo land including the creation of an entrepreneurship and vocational training centre for youth in the Southeast, a soul searching summit titled OluNdi Igbo and a business training programme for Igbo traders in markets across Nigeria.The organizing committee for 2015 was chaired by NkemOgbuaku, and supported by NdidiNwuneli, NkiruOkpareke, NdidiObioha, Yvonne Mbanefo, ChidiAfulezi, Innocent Chukwuma, ChinyeluOgene, NwannekaOkolo, Godwin Nnanna, Emeka Okafor and Chinwe Okoye.

The summit was divided into two sessions: the closed meeting for selected Ola Ndi Igbo which included plenary speeches, breakout sessions, presentations of action plans and the Innovation Marketplace Competition.

Theplenary session featured Professor Una Osili who spoke on Global Giving from Diaspora Population and Lessons for Ndi-Igbo, IchieNnaetoOrazulike who spoke on Entrepreneurship, Innocent Chukwuma who spoke on Transforming Secondary Education and Skills Development in the South East, ChudeJideonwo who spoke on Leveraging the Media and Changing Mindsets, Chika Chukudubelu who spoke on 5 Lessons from Hollywood, and Mrs.ObyEzekwesili who spoke on Changing Paradigms: Practical steps for Ndiigbo and roles of key stakeholders.

The evening event which attracted over 700 guests was a celebration of Igbo culture, music, poetry, dance and recognitions of some of the Ola Ndi Igbo 2015.

The list of Ola Ndi Igbo who participated and contributed their insights to the summit included Chioma Ude, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Bright Chimezie, Chika Chukudebelu, Brian Ezeike, Ifeoma Fafunwa, Casmir Igbokwe, ChudeJideonwo, Charles Igwe, Mary Ikoku, Nkem Ifejika, Nnenna Kalu-Makanjuola, Adaora Nwandu, HRH Onuora Nwuneli, Paul Nwulu, Sandra Obiago, Chioma Omeruah (Chigul), Jemie Onwuchekwa and Bene Uche (Entertainment & Media);Kelechi Deca, Kevin Ejiofor, ChuuKrydzIkwuemesi, Onyekachi Wambu, EnumaOkoro, George Okoro and Michael Ugwu (Literature, Arts & Music; Paddy Anigbo, Maduka Emeliefe, Kingsley Eze, Gerald Illukwe, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Chika Nwobi, Mike Ogbalu, Jerome Okolo, Uche Onwudiwe, Felix Oragwu, Nkemdilim Uwaje-Begho and EloUmeh (Technology);Ifediora Amobi, Chima Ibeneche, Ike Ilegbune, Frank Nneji, Frank Nweke II, Patrick Okigbo, Mark Okoye and Nnaeto Orazulike (Economic Development) and Nneka Eze, Oby Ezekwesili, Chika Okafor, Ijeoma Ononogbu, Una Osili and Chioma Ugochukwu (Education/Change Agents).

The organizing committee for 2015 was chaired by Nkem Ogbuaku, and supported by Ndidi Nwuneli, Nkiru Okpareke, Ndidi Obioha, Yvonne Mbanefo, Chidi Afulezi, Innocent Chukwuma, Chinyelu Ogene, Nwanneka Okolo, Godwin Nnanna, Emeka Okafor and Chinwe Okoye.

The plenary session featured Professor Una Osili who spoke on Global Giving from Diaspora Population and Lessons for Ndi-Igbo, Ichie Nnaeto Orazulike who spoke on Entrepreneurship, Innocent Chukwuma who spoke on Transforming Secondary Education and Skills Development in the South East, Chude Jideonwo who spoke on Leveraging the Media and Changing Mindsets, Chika Chukudubelu who spoke on 5 Lessons from Hollywood, and Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili who spoke on Changing Paradigms: Practical steps for Ndiigbo and roles of key stakeholders.

Winner of the Innovation Marketplace Competition was Obinna J. Ukwuani, Founder of the Makers Initiative, whilePosthumous Recognitions went to Ernest Okonkwo and F.C. Ogbalu.

Leading sponsors for the event include NB Plc.’s Life Beer, Diamond Bank, and MTN.