The Mgbowo General Assembly (MGA) Lagos, has renewed its commitment to grassroots development, unity and collective progress in Mgbowo, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, as community stakeholders converged for its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) held under the theme “Advancing Community Development in Mgbowo: MGA Perspective.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The meeting, organised by the association’s diaspora arm, provided a platform for reflection on the past, assessment of present challenges and articulation of a clear roadmap for sustainable, community-driven development in Mgbowo.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Chinedu Eze traced the historical foundations of community development in Igboland, identifying collective effort, self-help and communal responsibility as the pillars of Igbo socio-economic advancement. He observed that although colonialism brought certain structural changes, it disrupted many indigenous systems that had effectively promoted cooperation, accountability and shared prosperity.
Dr. Eze explained that traditional institutions such as age grades and town unions were central to the rapid development of Igbo communities before and after the 1914 amalgamation. According to him, age grades functioned as organised development units responsible for mobilising labour, constructing infrastructure, supporting members economically and executing community projects without financial compensation, a system he described as efficient, inclusive and culturally empowering.
Drawing from academic literature, he noted that the age-grade system remains one of the most resilient cultural structures in Igboland, having survived modern pressures while continuing to promote social harmony and development. He recalled that communities deliberately assigned projects to different age grades, including school renovations, culvert construction and scholarship schemes for outstanding students.
The keynote speaker further highlighted the role of town unions in advancing education during the colonial era. Referencing the works of renowned writer Chinua Achebe, he explained that collective community efforts enabled the Igbo to close educational gaps rapidly, producing some of Nigeria’s earliest indigenous university vice chancellors. Town unions, he said, sponsored brilliant students and laid the intellectual foundation upon which Igboland thrived.
Turning to philanthropy, Dr. Eze observed that from the 1990s onward, successful sons and daughters of Igboland increasingly initiated development projects in their hometowns, providing electricity, water, schools and roads where government presence was weak. He described this as a practical expression of the Igbo philosophy of “Aku Ruo Ulo,” which holds that wealth must return home to uplift the community.
Within this context, he commended the Mgbowo General Assembly, particularly its Lagos Chapter, for upholding this tradition through concrete interventions aimed at improving education and welfare in the community. He cited the recent rehabilitation of Mgbowo Boys Secondary School as a clear demonstration of the association’s commitment.
Under the leadership of its President, Mr. Basil Egbo, the association installed burglary proofs on all classroom windows and secured the school’s main entrance, thereby enhancing safety and restoring dignity to the institution. Dr. Eze described the intervention as timely, especially in view of the prolonged neglect of public infrastructure by successive tiers of government.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Retired General Fidelis O. Azinta, the Odoziobodo Mgbowo Lese, who further upgraded the school by reconstructing the ceiling and tiling the entire floor after the initial renovation works were completed.
As part of the AGM, awards were presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in leadership, human capacity building and community development. The Award of Excellence was conferred on the traditional rulers of Mgbowo, Igwe Ekpulambo and Igwe Ekpulato, in recognition of their leadership, commitment to peace and sustained development of the community.
Shining Star Awards were presented to former Governor Oguguo, who was humbly represented by his wife, Chief Ezesinachi, Chief Humphrey Akachukwu, and Retired General Fidelis O. Azinta for their outstanding contributions to human and community development. Similar awards were also presented to Igwe John Ibeh, represented by Barrister Nonso Azih, and Igwe Greg Ituma, in recognition of their dedication to traditional leadership, peacebuilding and community advancement.
The event also featured a health talk delivered by Dr. Chidinma Akpa, who educated participants on preventive healthcare and general wellbeing. In addition, various medical test kits were presented to the women of the community (Dịbụgwụ), who added colour to the occasion with their vibrant cultural dance performances.
Emphasising the importance of education to long-term development, Dr. Eze unveiled future initiatives of the General Assembly, including the refurbishment of school libraries beginning with Mgbowo Girls Secondary School, and the introduction of an annual career guidance and counselling programme for all secondary schools in the community from 2026.
He stressed that the success of these initiatives would depend on sustained commitment from members and well-meaning indigenes, urging collective action across all sectors of community life. Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, he reminded participants that “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Dr. Eze concluded by calling for stronger support for community institutions such as the Mgbowo General Assembly, noting that unity, hard work and mutual support remain essential to sustaining the progress for which the Igbo people are renowned.
The maiden AGM marked a significant milestone in the history of the General Assembly, setting a renewed agenda for community-driven development in Mgbowo and reaffirming the enduring strength of collective responsibility.