•Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, one of the Inyom awardees, receiving the award alongside her husband, Elder Ekeoma
Seventy-two distinguished women have been honoured by the Abiriba Ancient Kingdom for their outstanding contributions to leadership, mentorship, community development, and the training of young girls across generations.
24 of the women received the prestigious Inyom Abiriba while 48 of them received the Ada Ena titles during a historic two-day cultural celebration held at the Palace of the Enachioken of Abiriba.
The honourees were recognised for their impact in strengthening Abiriba’s social structure, promoting peace, driving developmental initiatives, and serving as role models for young women within and beyond the kingdom.
Recipients of the Inyom Abiriba title included the wife of the Abia State Governor, Her Excellency Dr. Precilia Chioma Otti, Dr. Nwannadiya Glory Ugah, Elder Georgina Mma Agbagha, Princess Mercy Owoh Nnanna, Grace Richard Nmecha, Barr. Nnenna Obewu Onwuka, Ego Mang Ndukwe, and Ezinne Ada Obasi, among others.
The Ada Ena honours were conferred on 48 young women, including American-born Ada Nde Abiriba, Dr. Nyiema Obidiya Carter–Eme, Dr. Lolo Esther Ogisi Ina, Nneoha Nnenna Ejindu Ireke Mang, Barr. Ebere Ifendu, Dr. Ashley Ubani Roberts, Sandra Kalu Ali, Chief Mrs. Grace Udensi, and several other emerging leaders who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries, traditional rulers, community leaders, and guests from across Nigeria and the diaspora, thus reaffirming Abiriba’s reputation as a community that upholds strong values of heritage, leadership, and respect for women.
The event also commemorated the historic 1992 Abiriba Women’s Protest, a defining moment when Abiriba women marched from Abiriba to Umuahia on November 25, 1992, demanding government intervention to restore peace. Their courageous action reportedly led to swift government response and paved the way for the annual celebration of Abiriba Women’s Day every November 25.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the ceremony, the Enachioken in Council described the event as a reinforcement of Abiriba’s centuries-old matrilineal tradition, where women occupy central roles in governance, peacebuilding, and community advancement.
The Enachoken of Abiriba Kingdom, also known as the Paramount Ruler of Abiriba People, Kalu Kalu Ogbu, explained that Abiriba’s unique system, governed under the revered Eze Inyom Abiriba, gives women an independent leadership structure that has guided the community for generations.
His words: “Abiriba is blessed with women who are pillars of wisdom, custodians of culture, and guardians of peace. Our mothers and daughters have always been at the forefront of protecting the community, mentoring the young, and ensuring that our values are passed from one generation to the next. Today’s honour is a celebration of their strength and an affirmation of their indispensable role in society.”
The Enachioken noted that the 2025 investitures were not only a recognition of past achievements but also an encouragement for more women to rise in leadership, support community initiatives, and continue shaping Abiriba’s future.
“We honour them so that younger girls can see examples of excellence, courage, and responsibility,” he added. “This celebration is a call to service, a reminder of who we are, and a commitment to the unity, peace, and progress of Abiriba.”
In the same vein, the other Abiriba council members, the Effa of Agboji, Eze Uche Agu, the Ukpagiri of Amogudu, Eze Eme Uguru Ikpoka, as well as the Ali Oke Ihungwu Amaeke, all leant their voices to the unique role of the Abiriba female folk in the community.
On the part of the women, the Eze Ndiyom Abiriba, Eze Urenna Kalu Mba, and the Ugoeze Dela Kalu Kalu Ogbu while celebrating the greatness of remarkable Abiriba women reflected on the strength, resilience and grace of the women.
The pair stressed the need for the Abiriba woman as well as the honourees to continue to play the unique triple roles of “Mothers, sisters and leaders, while carrying the torch of wisdom and morality.”
The two-day celebration, coupled with extra day of the Abiriba woman was however steeped in cultural grandeur, while asserting the kingdom’s deep respect for women’s contributions and its commitment to preserving the legacies that define Abiriba’s identity.
