As dusk recedes with the faint streaks of the rising sun, one beautiful soul is being roused to behold this golden day.

Her name is Victoria Obio. She is serving her fatherland in the Coal City of Enugu, a city she loves so much with its very receptive people as much as they have also embraced and adopted her.

Victoria lives motivated by her name as everyday, and everything in it, must be won, fair and square. Today is understandably exceptional as she takes a pause in a deep introspective commune with God, amid all the cymbal sounds of celebration, to say, BABA THANK YOU!

Congratulations!

In May 1803, about 75 Igbo slaves marched into the marshy waters of the Dunbar Creek, committing mass suicide in a bid to avoid being taken into slavery as they arrived Georgia.

The deaths signaled a powerful story of resistance as they took their own lives rather than remain enslaved in the New World. May 1803 will forever be remembered in Igbo history as one that showed the courage of the Igbo people in the face of subjection.

To memorialize the events of the Dunbar Creek, discuss its significance and take lessons for the present and the future, Pentagram Pictures Media and Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in collaboration with the Centre For Memories, Michigan State University and a host of other partners will hold an event to mark the 220th anniversary of the Igbo Landing.

The 2-event will feature a symposium, candlelight procession, panel sessions, art exhibition, theatre performances, book discussion and many more.

Date: May 23rd – 24th, 2023

Venue: Princess Alexandria Auditorium, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Kindly see attached flyers for guidelines on submission of abstracts and art pieces and other details.

Plan to attend.

For sponsorship and partnership, pls contact us via email on kedu@centreformemories.org or call 07031587185.

Cc: Amarachi Attamah Ndi Igbo Ndi Igbo Kwenu Iyke Erojikwe Afia TV Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ugochukwu Benedict Alugwe BBC News Igbo.

CentreForMemories

Dr. Amarachi Ugwuoru is a beautiful young lady with a permanent smile on her face. This heartiness mirrors her entire personality defined by friendliness, care, love and concern for others. She recently visited Community Secondary School, Ohodo, a public school in Ohodo, Igbo-Etiti local government area of Enugu state.

It is her community, and the students were her people. She observed that she had to do what she did because she could have been one of them. She thus was passing the message that the privileged need to occasionally remember those in less circumstances, the underprivileged in showing love that should indeed always be going around our shared humanity.

Below is her personal account of the experience she said she would not just cherish for a long time, but will always repeat as much as she could:

The Gina-Nelson Sanitary pad drive is a health awareness campaign that I, with the help of some friends organized in Ohodo Town on the 28th of April 2023.

Themed, Healthy Menstrual Hygiene: Breaking The Stigma And Empowering Girls, the aim of the project was to promote healthy menstrual hygiene practices amongst secondary school girls in Ohodo communities. This was to be achieved by educating them about good menstrual hygiene, high lightening its importance, and providing them with appreciable menstrual and personal hygiene products.

We believed this to be a step in the right direction in improving the lives of young women in Ohodo.

I and my team travelled to my home town, Ohodo-Abba, in Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State. With me were my parents Sir Cletus Ugwuoru and Lady Esther Ugwuoru, my Sister Chioma Ugwuoru and my Best friend, Sharon Arinze.

On reaching the venue, we were welcomed by the school authorities who were expecting us already. They helped to assemble the female students which totalled 103.

Also in attendance were HRH Igwe David Asogwa, the Igwe elect of Ohodo-Abba;The President General Ohodo town union, Barr. Alphonsus Ugwuafia; The Principal CSS Ohodo, Mrs Eucharia Ugwuowo; and other staff of CSS Ohodo.

I delivered the first health talk which focused on healthy menstrual hygiene practices, and its importance. In addition, I buttressed the risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene practices.

There were intermittent social interludes where we had dance and quiz competitions. The winners were all appropriately rewarded. They also had refreshments.

Shortly after the Health talks, we went right into the main event, which was the distribution of free sanitary pads (2-3), toothbrushes, toothpastes, bathing soaps, detergents and deodorants.

Each student got at least four out of the five other hygiene materials, in addition to sanitary the pads. The three winners of the quiz competition were given Panties Holders each.

The girls were very elated, cheerful and grateful throughout the event as they confessed that this was the first time they were experiencing such care and love. They specially thanked the donors who made the event possible

Rounding up, I gave a vote of thanks appreciating everyone in attendance and my team members. The Igwe on behalf of the people of Ohodo, thanked the team as well as donors for the act of philanthropism he had just witnessed.

Meanwhile I must not end without generously appreciating in very special way all that were part of this project. Thus, I thank so much Chioma Ugwuoru and Sharon Arinze who not only contributed but participated in the field work.

My parents, Sir Cletus Ugwuoru (JP) and Lady Esther Ugwuoru who took it upon themselves to ensure the event was hitch-free.

We thank the traditional rulers of Ohodo-Abba and Achara-Ohodo Autonomous communities, HRH Igwe David Asogwa, and HRH Igwe Hyacinth Eze, the Presidents General of the communities respectively, Barr. Alphonsus Ugwuafia and Comrade Fidelis Asogwa.

We cannot forget the Principal CSS Ohodo, Mrs Eucharia Ugwuowo and Ohodo Health Professionals, for allowing me carry out this project in the school and my  home town.

Thank you, our top sponsors, Mrs. Ugonne Okonkwo, who guided and mentored me all through it, Dr. Chikere Eugene and Barr. Mrs. Mma Edochie for their huge contributions also.

What about my dearest friends and colleagues, whom I first shared this idea with? Dr. Ekele Joy, Nrs. Essien Faith, Dr. Peter Agabi, thank you for your contributions.

Special appreciation to my senior colleagues who were also moved to donate, Dr. Afoma Ugwu, Dr. Chinazo Ogbuka, Dr. Daniel Madubuike.

I appreciate in very special ways my Consultants, Dr Kosolu Okiche (Consultant paediatrician),Dr. Akere (Consultant Anaesthetist), Dr. Ezeanosike (Consultant Neonatologist); my friends Mrs. Kasie (nee Omeh), Adaolisa Nnaji, Odinaka Ozioko, Uche Ifediora, Mrs Chidera Ezeugwu, Dr. Gift Gora, Dr. Fiona Onyekelueze, Dr. Ann Nwuzor.

I appreciate my reverend sister friends who supported too. Agoh Ebuka, Ezinwanne Agboanike, Ujunwa Ugochukwu, thank you.

Thank you all for contributing to this cause. May Almighty God replenish your source and make you smile as you all have made these young girls smile.