Item Okpi Kingdom Unites to Honour Prof. Arunma Oteh as Sole Awardee at Historic 2025 Item Day

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The historic town of Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State came alive with colour, culture and pride on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, as the Item Development Association (IDA) Incorporated trustees hosted the 2025 Item Day Celebration, a landmark edition uniquely dedicated to honouring one exceptional personality, Chief Professor Arunma Oteh, ADA Eji Eje Mba, ADON, OON, and Forbes Africa Woman Changemaker of the Decade.

Held at the playground of Akanu Item Primary School, Akanu Item, the celebration attracted an impressive gathering of top government functionaries, revered traditional rulers, respected community leaders, members of the clergy, captains of industry, and sons and daughters of Item from across Nigeria and the diaspora. The atmosphere reflected a rare unity of purpose, as the entire community rallied around a single honouree whose global achievements have brought uncommon pride to her roots.

With the theme “Building a Greater Item Through Collective Action: The Work Continues,” the 2025 Item Day represented a clear departure from past editions that featured multiple award recipients. This year’s celebration was deliberately streamlined to focus on one award and one traditional honour, underscoring the extraordinary nature of Professor Oteh’s contributions to the development of Abia State, Nigeria, Africa and the wider global community.

One of the major highlights of the day was a Grand Civic Reception in honour of the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, whose presence further elevated the significance of the occasion and demonstrated the state government’s support for community-driven initiatives and excellence. Item Okpi Kingdom Unites to Honour Prof. Arunma Oteh as Sole Awardee at Historic 2025 Item Day

During the ceremony, the Item Development Association formally bestowed the prestigious Item Grand Merit Award on Chief Arunma Oteh, OON, celebrating her as a worthy daughter of the soil whose professional accomplishments and leadership on the global stage have brought immense honour to Item Okpi Ancient Kingdom, Abia State and Nigeria as a whole. The citation on the award plaque recognised her distinguished leadership and transformative contributions to global development, noting that her achievements have earned enduring respect and admiration for the community.

Professor Oteh was also specially commended for her consistent role as a global ambassador of the Amaba-Ukwu Item community, where she has continued to project its image positively across international platforms. The organisers described this sustained commitment as a major factor in her selection as the sole recipient of the 2025 Item Day honour.

The event was chaired by Chief Ojay Obasi Eke (Udoka), while Chief Chukwuemeka Ogwo, MBA, Ugwuchukwuemere I of Item, served as Co-Chairman, lending further prestige and organisational strength to the celebration.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Hon. Dr. Ibekwe Nnamdi Chimdi, Member representing Bende North Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly; Hon. Okwu Ukoha, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly; and Hon. Uwabunike Bassey, Executive Chairman of Bende Local Government Area.

Traditional prayers and blessings formed a solemn and symbolic part of the programme, led by the Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Highness Eze Jerry Akpala Igwe (JP), Chairman of the Item Traditional Rulers Council, alongside His Royal Majesty Eze Silas Okafor Igwe (JP), the Okpi of Item, and other royal fathers. Religious leaders, including His Grace, Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, Archbishop of Umuahia, also offered prayers for peace, unity and continued progress in the community, as well as for the awardee.

The newly conferred Nwanne Ukwu Di Na Mba of Amaba-Ukwu Item, Abia State, Alhaji Chief Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, congratulated Professor Oteh on what he described as a well-deserved honour. He praised her as a pride of Item and a living example of what dedication, integrity and excellence can accomplish, noting that her global impact has firmly positioned Amaba-Ukwu Item on the world map. He also prayed for renewed strength and wisdom for her to continue serving humanity and inspiring future generations.

In her acceptance speech, an emotional Professor Arunma Oteh expressed deep appreciation to the Item Development Association, the people of Amaba-Ukwu Item, the traditional institution, the Abia State Government and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly to make the celebration a success. She described the honour as both humbling and inspiring, pledging to continue projecting the image of her community positively on the global stage and viewing the recognition as a renewed call to service.

She urged sons and daughters of Amaba-Ukwu Item, Abia State and Nigeria to embrace courage, resilience and hard work, stressing that the sky is only the beginning of success for those who dare to dream and work relentlessly. Professor Oteh also thanked Governor Alex Otti for his support for community development initiatives and commended the leadership of the Item Development Association for sustaining the values of unity, selfless service and progress embodied in the association’s motto, “Faith in God and Selfless Service to Our People.”

Under the leadership of Dr. Cyril Onyekachi O. Kalu, President of IDA, and Ambassador Dr. Anthony Chukwudum Okorie, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the 2025 Item Day Celebration has been widely described as historic, not only for honouring one of Item’s most illustrious daughters, but also for reaffirming the community’s collective resolve to pursue sustainable development and global relevance.

For many who attended, the event transcended the presentation of an award, standing instead as a powerful statement of identity, pride and renewed commitment to building a greater Item for generations yet unborn.

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