Umugo Celebrates ‘Ugo Day’ Thanksgiving as Community Records Remarkable Progress
“Umugo community in Ikwuano LGA, Abia State, holds ‘Ugo Day’ thanksgiving on December 26 to celebrate progress, youth empowerment, diaspora support, and renewed development.”
All roads will lead to Umugo-Oloko, in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, on Friday, December 26, as the community gathers to celebrate a special thanksgiving ceremony in appreciation of God’s goodness and the remarkable transformation witnessed in recent years.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with FamousReporters.com on Wednesday, December 24, Rev. Joe Ndubuisi Echema, one of the diaspora sons of Umugo and the sole sponsor of the event, said the programme—tagged “Ugo Day”—is purely a thanksgiving to God for illuminating the land with progress and renewed hope.
Rev. Echema expressed regret that Umugo had, for decades, suffered from poor government presence and infrastructural neglect. However, he said the narrative has changed significantly in recent years, as visible development and social advancement now define the community.
“I am so excited about Christmas, especially Christmas Eve,” he said. “There is always so much energy in the village—people returning home, families reuniting, expectations everywhere. There is hustle, bustle and life.”
He added that the thanksgiving ceremony is a reflection of gratitude for the steady progress recorded by the community.
“This event is about thanking God for His goodness. Umugo was once known for lagging behind neighbouring communities, but in the last five years, we have seen tremendous progress. Our children are graduating from universities, becoming professionals, and modern houses are springing up across the village. There is so much going on now—it is unbelievable.”
Rev. Echema, an American citizen who has lived in the United States for over 40 years, said he regularly visits home to remain connected with developments in his community.
Clarifying rumours that the event was a carnival, he stated emphatically:
“What we are doing on the 26th has nothing to do with a carnival. It is purely thanksgiving to God for giving our people the grace to see progress. I have lived over 70 years, and I have never seen this level of development before.”
Responding to speculations about activities scheduled beyond December 26, he explained:
“I don’t know anything about the 27th or 28th. People are free to do whatever they want, but Ugo Day is strictly on the 26th, and it is purely a thanksgiving event.”
Describing the historical background of Umugo, Rev. Echema said the village is an integral part of the Oloko clan, noting that Umugo once shared schools with Oloko Central before establishing its own elementary school and co-owning a secondary school with Oloko.
He also highlighted the strong moral and religious heritage of the community.
“Umugo has always been a religious and disciplined community. Even during my childhood, we had major churches like Qua Iboe Church, Apostolic Church and Assemblies of God. Our people were known for good behaviour. In those days, people preferred to marry from Umugo because our daughters were disciplined.”
On youth development and social challenges such as drug abuse, Rev. Echema disclosed that a youth empowerment committee has been set up to train young people in various skills.
“We are determined to redirect our youths and put them on the right path,” he said, naming Mr. Uchenna Ebubeogu, Emeka Ogbonna and Ndubuisi Allison as members of the committee.
Explaining his expectations from the event, he likened the community to the eagle (Ugo)—Nigeria’s national bird.
“Ugo is not an ordinary bird. If we truly act like the eagle, the sky is our limit. Eagles don’t pick food from the ground like chickens—they fly high. When they land, people notice. That is how Umugo should be.”
He urged parents to instill strong moral values in their children and encouraged widows and elderly women to face life with resilience and hope.
Rev. Echema also appealed to prospective investors to consider Umugo-Oloko a safe and fertile environment for business.
“Umugo is peaceful, safe and hospitable. Anyone who wants to invest or live here is welcome. We are ready to cooperate and work with investors.”
The event will feature essay writing competitions, church music concerts, cultural dances, and other activities. A major highlight is an essay competition on the Eagle (Ugo) for secondary school students of Umugo origin.
“Every child who is a native of Umugo or lives in Umugo is qualified,” he said.
Winners of the essay competition will receive cash prizes of ₦100,000 (1st place), ₦50,000 (2nd place), and ₦25,000 (3rd place).
“The aim is to encourage research and help our children understand the eagle—its strength, lifestyle and symbolism—so they can apply those values to life,” he explained.
Reiterating that Ugo Day is strictly a thanksgiving ceremony, Rev. Echema urged collective responsibility for sustained development.
“Every hand must be on deck. If Umugo must continue progressing, everyone has to contribute in one way or another.”
