The beginning

Events that led to the start of Ndi-Igbo reading started at Amanda Onyeri’s confirmation service in June 2010. As they did in Christmas of the previous year, the Onyeris invited a couple of Igbo families’ resident

In Reading and beyond to celebrate the occasion with them. Present were the Ezendiokweles, Okoyes, the Ezeokes etc. The event was truly beautiful. The spirit of Igbo brotherhood and sisterhood filled the venue as families reconnected with old friends and also made new ones. The event was so successful and binding that families present decided to create an annual end of year gathering for Igbo families in Reading.

The end of year gatherings

The first informal annual gathering of Igbo families in Reading took place in december 26th 2010 at English Marytrs. Key players in organising the event were Emma Okoye, Emeka Onyeri… Attending families were asked to contribute £100 each for food, venue and drinks. Again the event was a hit as families came together to celebrate one another and have fun.  At the end of the event, families agreed to make it a rollig annual event. This annual end of year events continued until 2014

The tragedy that defined us

Unexpected death of Victor Okeke’s wife in August 2015 – Maryn Okeke – shook the entire Igbo community in Reading. The outpouring of support and condolence from Igbo families in Reading was outstanding as friends and families trooped to his house in condolence. In one of such condolence visits, Emeka Onyeri, Tochukwu Ezeoke, Festus Aneke (Igwe), Charles Anaba and Ugochukwu Ozougwu found themselves in Victor’s house.

They decided to form a committee of friends’ forum to find a way to support Victor in that difficult time. A date was set and Emeka agreed to host the meeting. Over 18 Igbo families attended the meeting at Emeka’s house. Over £2000 was raised to support Victor.

Ndi-Igbo reading was formally started

In May 2016, Ugo invited some Igbo friends and families to his home to celebrate the birth of his first son, Chimdalu. After introduction of the new born to guests present, and following long discussion and argument about Nigeria, only 4 friends remained behind. They were Emeka, Tochukwu, Festus Aneke( Igwe) and Ugochukwu. There and then, they decided to formally form the association and call it Ndi-Igbo Reading. Emeka was nominated as the interim Chairman and Ugo became the interim Secretary. The gathering also agreed a date for our first official meeting – Emeka volunteered his house as venue.

Ndi-Igbo Reading makes progress

Membership of Ndi-Igbo Reading grew organically mainly among immediate friends. The organisation decided we pricipally needed a constitution, a logo, a meeting venue and a way to fund the organisation.

Our consitution was drafted my Tochukwu and Emma Okoye. Ugo and Emeka designed logo. A bimonthly membership of £10 and a registration fee of £5 were agreed in following meetings. The Emeka and Ugo remained interim executives.

Our dark days

A disagreement between the interim executives and some members on the procedure and direction of the meeting started at the official WhatsApp forum when agenda for the meeting was released.

These events spilled over to the general meeting despite appeals from the executives. At that meeting, some members managed sway the meeting to their position. 2 hours after that meeting Ugo reached a conclusion that his position had become untenable if the executives were not allowed to meeting as mandated. He tended his resignation after consulting the Chairman. Three hrs. later the Chairman also resigned his position. The association was in tumoil and at crossroads.

Several members worked incredibly hard to settle the issues – notably names were Basil, Emma, Festus Aneke and Iyke Nzeh.

After several consultations, everyone agreed to shed their swords and attend Joel’s wedding in London on 2018. At that event, several attempts were further made to reconcile aggrieved members.

Finally, in 2016, everyone agreed to come together to conduct our first election, heal wounds and find a way to move the association forward. Emeka was formally elected Chairman, Ugo Secretary, Chux Treasurer, IK provost.

Ndi-Igbo Reading rises again

The new executives assumed the first of their 2 terms, and Key achievements include:

• Increase in members count from 13 to 35
• Creating our official banners
• Membership form and process of joining the organisation,
• Finding a permanent venue for our meetings
• Organising successive summer events and end-of-year parties
• Agreed on an official uniform for the men

In 2018, another election was held. Emeka returned as Chairman, Ugo secretary, Chux Treasurer. However, Iyke Nzeh stepped down due to personal issues. Charles Anaba was then elected as the new Provost. Key achievements of the 2nd term in office:

• Membership growth from 35 to 55
• Formed kid’s dance group
• Formed a female arm of the organisation
• Created the group’s website
• Started the process of creating a YouTube channel for the group
• Equipped our traditional dance group
• Agreed uniform for female members

Despite the COVID-driven pandemic, Ndi-Igbo Reading remained strong with record virtual meeting attendance and living, its motto of ‘Nwa nne di na mba” by supporting members who have lost loved ones through difficult times.