In 2016, fifteen daughters of Neni town in Anaocha local government area (LGA) in Anambra State of Nigeria, residing in the United States of America, being perceptive of our responsibilities as “Umuada and Umuokpu” citizens and desiring to promote our Igbo heritage, improve our community in economic, social, political, and other realms do hereby organize ourselves as Umuokpu Neni Organization in Diaspora (UNO). Thus our motto: “ACHIEVE THE JOY OF SISTERHOOD”.
Vision: UNOID aims to empower the youth and women in the under-served communities by providing resources for quality education and good health while advancing their socio-economic status.
Mission: Our mission is to provide career development opportunities, mentoring, healthcare awareness, and other strategic alliances for the youth and women in the under-served communities.
Purpose: To provide a forum for daughters of Neni Town in Anaocha LGA to communicate and exchange ideas for the improvement of their communities through social networking and charitable ventures.
The objectives of the Association include, but are not limited to:
- Promote networking and cooperation among daughters of Neni Town in Anaocha LGA, Anambra State.
- Promote quality education through scholarships, health, and overall welfare, and economic advancement of citizens of Neni Town, Anaocha LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria.
- Promote Igbo heritage and culture in the United States.
- Liaise, collaborate, and partner with other Organizations with similar missions.
UNOID Executive Board
The Members of the UNOID Executive Board are integral in the fulfillment of our objectives as an organization. They each hold a significant role and are highly respected for their contributions.
Current: Executive Board: 2016 – Present:
| President | Henrietta Mbamalu-Okoro |
| Vice President | Virginia Obiesie-Ezeife |
| Secretary | Nkiru Nwokediuko-Anedu |
| Treasurer | Matilda Ubajaka |
| Financial Secretary | Nneka Lillian Emokah |
| Asst Financial Secretary | Chioma Loretta Enemuo |
| PRO | Ify Udoye-Ukenye |
| Provost | Rosemary Chika Ezeani |
| Social Director | Chinwe Udoye-Muorah |
Committees
Every committee serves a purpose and every member of a committee has a contribution to make. Are you currently a member of UNOID? We invite you to volunteer and participate in these different committees.
| By-Laws Committee (Chairperson) | Virginia Obiesie-Ezeife |
| Social/Welfare Committee (Chairperson) | Chinwe Udoye-Muorah |
We will soon post the activities or events that are currently handled by a particular committee so you can arrange your schedule and do your part.
UNOID Brochure
Please click the link below to download the brochure file:
UNOID Honorees
Umuokpu Neni Organization in Diaspora pursues the promotion of Igbo heritage, culture, and leadership in our communities. We recognize and promote excellence in the society by conferring an honoree during the biennial Fundraising and Awards Banquet. The honorees are individuals who displayed leadership and selfless service to positively uplift the lives of Nigerians at home, especially from Neni town and abroad in general.
Neni Town Heritage
Location:
Neni is located in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. Its geographical coordinates are 6″ 09′ 00 North, 7″ 02′ 00 East. It also hosts the headquarters of the Anaocha Local Government Area.
Current Traditional Ruler:
The current traditional leader of Neni town is HRH Damian O. Ezeani (Igwe Ezeani Ugonabo).
Neighboring towns:
Akwaeze, Oraukwu, Agulu, Obeledu, Ichida, Nimo, Aguluzigbo, Adazi-Ani, Adazi-Nnukwu, and Nri
Ten Neni Villages:
Umueze, Eziaja, Umudioka, Etitinabo, Ezineni, Umunri, Umuabani, Umukabia, Okofia, and Ugwudunu
Traditional Festivals in Neni Community:
Neni town observes several annual cultural festivals.
- Igu Aro/Ogwe – It is performed by Okofia village on every 1st day of January each year at the Oye Market Square in the morning to herald the New Year and its good tidings to the community.
- Village Days – It is observed on December 26th each year, such as Umueze Day, Eziaja Day, Umuabani Day, Ugwudunu Day, etc. The indigents use the village day to interact and celebrate the reunion of the villages, families, and friends. Different kinds of dances and masquerades are featured on that day.
- Ufejioku Umueze – This festival is celebrated every second week of August each year to announce the maturation of new yam, as well as display the new yam harvested at “ODU UMUEZE” at the market square before new yam could be sold at Oye Market Neni.
- New Yam Festival – This is celebrated every third week of August each year at the Igwe’s palace with fanfare such as dance and masquerade displays featured with “Ndi Nze na Ozo and Igwe’s Cabinet present”. The next day is general Iwa-Ji by the community. Mmanka Arts and Culture – this is displayed by the “Nka Diokas” of Umudioka village at Mmanka stadium on every 31st of December each year.
- Mmanka Festival – “Itu Mbubu, Igbu-ichi, Iwa-eze, masquerades, and dances are featured in the Arts and Culture displays at Mmanka Festival. This festival attracts distinguished personalities from all over the country to Neni.
- Masquerade Carnival – The Masquerade Carnival display at the Oye Market Square by all the villages on the 1st January every year is synonymous to Neni culture as this festival attracts spectators from within the Anaocha Local Government Area and its environs.
If you are interested in learning more about our organization, please contact us at 443-550-1134.