It was a massive gathering of great Igbo men, entrepreneurs, prominent members of the Igbo communities, as well as business moguls, coming together to celebrate the greatness of the Igbo community, combining culture, networking, and having conversations about the development of the Igbo Land.
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Akuluno United Brothers Association (AUBA) has unveiled a book titled : Akuluno: A Catalyst for the Development of Igboland, while the association marks its second anniversary with an event celebrating the strength of oneness and brotherhood, enterprise, and Igbo cultural identity in Lagos.
The event, held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at The Monarch Event Centre, Lekki Phase 2, also featured the association’s general meeting (AGM). This meeting brings together members and guests from business, professional, and social circles across the country and the South-East region under one roof.
The occasion was graced by high-profile individuals from different parts of the world to have a broader conversation about the role of collective enterprise, networking, leadership, and shared resources in advancing development across the South-East.
At the centre of the event was the unveiling of the new book titled Akuluno: A Catalyst for the Development of Igboland. This book reflects AUBA’s stated interest in exploring how collaboration, business experience and community-focused initiatives can contribute to the development of Igboland.
A Celebration Of Brotherhood From the South East
The event served as a major avenue that provided members with the opportunity to reflect on the associations 2 years journey and reflect on the meaningful connections they have built over time around a shared heritage and interest in community advancement.
One of the missions of AUBA is to bring together the Igbo communities, game changers, and leaders that can effect meaningful change in the growth of the South-East region of the country. The association is focused on promoting togetherness and the power of brotherhood among individuals from different business and professional backgrounds, with an emphasis on networking, mutual support, philanthropy, cultural identity, and community development.
Video Credit: Arise TV
The AUBA anniversary created an avenue as a meeting point for social engagement and discussions about the value of connecting business success with community development. The guests were not left out of the picture. The gathering provided them with an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships, reconnect with associates, and celebrate a shared cultural heritage in an atmosphere centred on fellowship and achievement.
The Unveiling of the Book (A Catalyst for the Development of Igboland)
The unveiling of the book titled A Catalyst for the Development of Igboland puts Igboland development in focus. The association used the opportunity to launch the book and celebrate its 2nd anniversary.
Beyond the significance of the book and what it represents, the publication introduces a development-focused theme that aligns with the association’s stated interest focusing more on harnessing the knowledge, networks, and resources of successful individuals for the benefit of their communities.
Some of the things associated with this agenda include enterprise development, investment, education, healthcare, vocational skills, and the revival of the Igbo apprenticeship system. During the event, these areas remained an important subject in the discussion about economic opportunities, building human capacity, and the preservation of business traditions within Igbo society.
The event was used as an avenue to address a lot of things that concern the Igbo Race. The book unveiling was done alongside its anniversary celebration, the Akunulo General Meeting (AGM). With this, AUBA was able to bring three aspects of its organisational life, such as reflection on its progress, the engagement among members of the association, and the presentation of ideas centred on the future of Igboland. This served as an avenue for the association to restate the principles of Unity and collective responsibility around which it was established.
Notable Personalities that Graced the Event
The occasion was chaired by Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, while Chief Sir Patrick Okonkwo served as Chief Launcher.
Another notable personality at the event is the association’s pioneer National President, High Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu, popularly known as Onowu Anara, who was also a central figure in the anniversary programme. Chief Francis Akealu, Chairman of the Planning Committee, coordinated preparations for the event.
Their presence stands as a symbol of oneness, unity, and progress. The event focused on bringing together individuals with business, professional, and community interests around the association’s objectives. Aside from that, the gathering also reflects on the place of social events within Nigeria’s business community, where professional networking, cultural affiliation, and personal relationships often intersect.
For organisations such as AUBA, these occasions provide opportunities to maintain relationships while creating space for conversations about shared interests and future initiatives.
Preserving Heritage While Looking Ahead
The business culture of the Igbo people has stood the test of time. The culture is long associated with entrepreneurship, trading networks, and apprenticeship traditions. Despite being greatly rooted in the Igbo business culture, so many contemporary businesses in Nigeria owned by the Igbo communities and leaders face the challenge of sustaining these traditions in today’s fast-changing world while responding to changing economic conditions and the needs of younger generations.
The AUBA is emphasizing enterprise, mentorship, community support and youth empowerment, which they believe are central to its broader vision for Igboland.
The launch of Akuluno: A Catalyst for the Development of Igboland is known to have added a literary dimension to the conversation, placing development at the heart of an occasion that also celebrated the association’s identity and growth.
The book unveiling and anniversary celebration created an occasion for members and guests to reflect on the relationship between individual achievement and collective progress.
As AUBA marked two years of existence, its Lagos gathering brought brotherhood, business networking, cultural identity and development into a single programme, underscoring the association’s stated ambition to connect its members’ shared heritage with a wider commitment to the advancement of Igboland.
