On October 17, 2015, the South Eastern city of Enugu was dazzled with the celebration of the 2nd
Ola Ndi 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 and education for changing paradigms and future realities.”
Ola Ndi Igbo is a biennial summit
organized by a group of volunteers in Nigeria and the Diaspora that
promotes values-driven change in Igboland. The first 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 Olu Ndi Igbo and a business training programme
for Igbo traders in markets across Nigeria.
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.
Arrivals
Oby Ezekwesili arriving for Morning Session
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| Obiago and Dr.Anthea Nwandu |
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| NBL Ladies |
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| Mrs.Okolo, Mrs. Obiago, Prof. Osili, Dr. Nwandu, Mrs. Nwobodo |
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| Ndidi Obioha and friends |
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.
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 Oby Ezekwesili 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.
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| Breaking of the Kola |
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| Benie Uche and Innocent Chukwuma |
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| Bright Chimezie |
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| Chigul and Kelechi |
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| Frank Nweke and Oby Ezekwesili |
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| Ndidi Nwuneli at the Benefits Concert |
The leading sponsors for the event were
Life Beer produced by
Nigerian Breweries, Diamond Bank and
MTN.
The winner of the
Innovation Marketplace Competition was
Obinna J. Ukwuani, the Founder of the
Makers Initiative.
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| Obinna Ukwani Receiving the Innovation Marketplace Prize |
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| Nkem Ogbuaku – Chair for 2015 |
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| Nkiru Okpareke |
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| MCs Chigul and Nkem Ifejika of BBC |
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| The choir from Godfrey Okoye University |
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| Oby Ezekwesili presenting an Award to Nnaeto Orazulike |
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| Nkem and Bright Chimezie |
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| Una Osili, Ike Ilegbune & Ndidi Nwuneli |
The list of Ola Ndi Igbo who participated and contributed their insights to the summit included the following:
Entertainment & Media: Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Bright
Chimezie, Chika Chukudebelu, Brian Ezeike, Ifeoma Fafunwa, Casmir
Igbokwe, Chude Jideonwo, Charles Igwe, Mary Ikoku, Nkem Ifejika, Nnenna
Kalu-Makanjuola, Adaora Nwandu, HRH Onuora Nwuneli, Paul Nwulu, Sandra
Obiago, Chioma Omeruah (Chigul), Jemie Onwuchekwa, Bene Uche and Chioma
Ude
Literature, Arts & Music: Kelechi Deca, Kevin Ejiofor, Chuu Krydz
Ikwuemesi, Onyekachi Wambu, Enuma Okoro, George Okoro and Michael Ugwu
Technology: 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 Elo
Umeh
Economic Development: Ifediora Amobi, Chima Ibeneche, Ike Ilegbune, Frank Nneji, Frank Nweke II, Patrick Okigbo, Mark Okoye and Nnaeto Orazulike
Education/Change Agents: Nneka Eze, Oby Ezekwesili, Chika Okafor, Ijeoma Ononogbu, Una Osili and Chioma Ugochukwu
Posthumous Recognitions: Ernest Okonkwo and F.C. Ogbalu
For additional information visit:
www.olandiigbo.net | @olandiigbo
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