By Mary Ugorji
It was a historic day in Uratta, Owerri North LGA, Imo State, as the revered daughters of Uratta, known as Umumgboto, were ceremoniously reinstalled and their new executives inaugurated to drive a renewed vision of peace, unity, progress, and community development.
The long-awaited inauguration, which held at the Owerri North Council Headquarters, drew representatives from the 10 villages that make up Uratta: Umualum, Umuori, Okwu, Umubaa, Owalla, Owaelu, Umunagbo Orji, Umunahu, Amakohia, and Akwakuma. Clad in striking white and red traditional attire, the daughters turned out in large numbers to witness what many described as the rebirth of a vital cultural heritage.
Presiding over the event, the President General of Uratta, Engr. Stanley Ukaga, committed the Umumgboto to God as they took an oath of allegiance to uphold transparency, honesty, sisterhood, and peace. Engr. Ukaga, in his goodwill message, donated ₦50,000 each to the Umumgboto Umuariam and the National Leader, urging them to remain accountable, promote development, and sustain harmony in the land.
Hon. Lucky Abaraonye, Executive Chairman of Owerri North Council, applauded the group’s rebirth, encouraging the women to remain steadfast in doing good. He commended the leadership of Engr. Ukaga and Lady Olivia Ijeoma for their commitment and prayed for God’s continued protection over them and their mission. He assured the gathering of continuous support through periodic town hall meetings to unite sons and daughters of Uratta both at home and abroad.
In a heartfelt interview, the President of the association, Chief Hon. Mrs. Olivia Nkihiru Ijeoma (née Ofegbu), expressed her joy at witnessing the revival of Mgboto Uratta after over 25 years of dormancy due to past challenges. She described the group’s rebirth as a testament to the transformative leadership of the National President of the Uratta Development Union.
“When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice,” she said. “We have brought back dignity and unity among Mgboto, Mdom, youths, Ndieze, Ndiobinaobi, and Onyeishala of Uratta under one constitution. Today, peace, love, and unity have been restored.”
Chief Ijeoma emphasized the association’s commitment to empowering widows, indigent women, and the less privileged through various support initiatives, including monthly stipends, agricultural inputs, and entrepreneurial aid, made possible by collaborations with Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi and other well-meaning Uratta sons and daughters.
“We are here to move mountains and take Uratta to the next level,” she declared. “We are the digital Mgboto. Our mothers are peacemakers, builders, and guardians of harmony in our families and communities.”
The National Secretary, Cynthia Odunna Lawrence from Orji, echoed the same optimism, describing the inauguration as a milestone that will strengthen cultural values, inclusiveness, and community pride. She urged every daughter of Uratta to see Mgboto as sacred and uphold its principles of peace and progress.
Village leaders and community members, including Chikodi Mbaroke, Hon. Chinomso Hope Chukwudi (née Kamalu), Lady Esther Ezeh (née Shedrack Njoku), and Chief Lumanze Michael Amaobichukwu Aku na Akasiobi 1 of Uratta, all expressed delight at the event’s success. They urged the women to shun gossip and backbiting, stand as beacons of unity, and continue their role as the voice and conscience of the people. Chief Amaobichukwu assured them of unwavering support from the men of Uratta.
As the newly inaugurated Mgboto Uratta embarks on their courtesy visits to traditional rulers, they carry with them the hopes of an entire clan united for sustainable development, peace, and a better future.
