United Umuada Igbo Club International reaffirms women’s empowerment, inaugurates centre for abused women 

The United Umuada Igbo Club International (UUICI), a global non-profit organisation, has vowed to continue empowering women and uplifting Igbo communities in a bid to preserve the dignity and heritage of Igbo women.

Their shared mission hope was rekindled during its 2026 Summit with the theme: “Embracing The Dignity of Igbo Women.”

The event was held on Friday in the commercial city of Onitsha, on the grounds of the All Saints Cathedral in Anambra State.

The highlights include Orange Day, the post-UN 16-day Activism on Violence against Women, the inauguration of the “Makua Umuagbogho Project,” as well as the inauguration of the proposed UUICI Centre for Abused Women.

Chief Mrs Loveth Ebosie, Visionary Leader, Global Founder/Patron, and Executive President of the UUICI, said the event got underway the previous day with the distribution of over 40,000 sanitary pads, sponsored by a member.

“We had our 10 years anniversary on May 12, 2025. Our purpose has always been clear: to build a global network where women thrive through education, advocacy, and cultural pride. We have made great strides, yet challenges persist. The rise of domestic violence remains one of the most urgent battles we face today.

“And within this theme, we have had our 10-year adversary where we launched our book, which tells the history of UUICI. Subsequently, we are now launching Makua Umuagbogho which is intended to be embraced by the younger generation, to teach them the right things, show them to have dignity,” she added.

“In 2022, we launched Orange Day, a global call to action against abuse, with the now-iconic message: ‘See something, say something”

Today, we take that vision further with the unveiling of our centre for women support and development, a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence to heal, rebuild and grow.

“We are proud to launch the Makua Umuagbogho initiative, a mentorship platform for our junior Umuada, equipping the next generation of Igbo girls withUnited Umuada Igbo Club International reaffirms women’s empowerment and heritage.

Chief Mrs Anthonia Ugokwe, Chairman of the convention, who was unavoidably absent, but donated N1million towards the proposed project, commended the conveners’ initiatives in helping to propagate the recognition of women’s supportive roles in society.

Other programmes at the event include the resolution to UUICI’s next agenda, performance by junior UUICI sustainability project and cultural presentation by junior Umuada, amongst others. skills, confidence, and cultural pride ⁸ According to her, the group with Mrs Ify Obinabo, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, noted that the theme of the event was apt, particularly as it concerned the younger generation, who have abandoned the culture and traditions to embrace the ills of society.

She urged the families to acknowledge and respect the women, especially the widows, instead of helping to fuel abuses against them, having lost their husbands.

Obinabo also enjoined the women to respect and give regard to their husbands, for the sake of their children and society, to acknowledge the roles the males play in families.

Lady Caroline Onyeziligbo, Coordinator of UUICI Nigeria, said that Igbo women and girls have historically played vital roles in family, community, and cultural life, serving as custodians of tradition, educators, entrepreneurs, and advocates for justice.

“Yet, systemic challenges such as gender inequality, cultural misinterpretations, and limited access to education and leadership opportunities often diminish their contributions.

“Embracing the dignity of Igbo women and girls seeks to restore, affirm, and elevate their dignity, creating a society where they are recognized, respected, and empowered as equal partners in cultural heritage, education, leadership, and tradition,” she said.

Miss Nwamaka Oraka, a student who participated in the cultural dance at the event, said she was elated with the support of the group in becoming her role model.

“Their ideals imparted in me today, would boost my life to be committed to my studies for the future,” she said.

Other programmes at the event include the resolution of UUICI’s next agenda, a performance by the junior UUICI sustainability project, and a cultural presentation by junior Umuada, amongst others.

A prominent member of the group, Dr Adaeze Menakaya-Okika, in an interview from New York, explained that the United Umuada Igbo Club International (UUICI) is a global non-profit organisation made up of professional Igbo women.

It is a modern, international extension of the traditional “Umuada” institution—the influential collective of daughters in Igbo culture who historically served as peacemakers and custodians of family values.

It is based in New York but operates worldwide, the club focuses on four main pillars: 1. Empowerment and Advocacy The organisation is committed to empowering Igbo women and girls through education, counselling, and economic support.

They advocate for gender equality and work specifically to curb gender-based violence within the community. 2. Cultural Preservation A core part of their mission is ensuring that the “rich cultural heritage” of the Igbo people is not lost in the diaspora.

They promote the Igbo language, traditional family values, and the spirit of onye aghala nwanne ya (“let no one leave a sister behind”).

The club promotes Peace and Conflict Resolution

And true to the traditional role of Umuada, the club emphasizes peacebuilding and reconciliation. Historically, the Umuada were the “supreme court” in many Igbo villages, stepping in to settle disputes that men could not resolve. UUICI carries this spirit into the modern world by fostering unity among Igbo families globally.

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