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Enyimba Social Club Inaugurates Washington DC Chapter, Honours Women Founders
Enyimba Social Club Inaugurates Washington DC Chapter, Honours Women Founders
By Boniface Ihiasota, Washington DC
The club’s national president, Chibueze Ubabuike, commends Rita Okani and Dr Gladys Anokam for their roles in establishing the chapter.
Enyimba Social Club USA, Inc. has inaugurated its Washington DC chapter and inducted its first set of members, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s expansion and efforts to promote Igbo cultural heritage, unity and community service among Nigerians in the diaspora.
The inauguration and first induction ceremony, held on October 17, 2026, in Washington, DC, brought together the club’s national executives, chapter presidents, traditional rulers, chiefs, members, families and other guests to celebrate the establishment of the chapter.
At the event, the club’s National President, Chibueze Ubabuike, commended Chief Lolo Rita Okani and Dr Gladys Anokam for their contributions to bringing Enyimba Social Club to the Washington DC metropolitan area.
In his address, Ubabuike acknowledged the perseverance of the two women, describing their efforts as instrumental to the realisation of a project that had taken years to accomplish.
“Thank you, Chief Lolo Lawrence and Rita Okani, Chief Fidelis and Lolo Gladys Anokam, you persevered and stayed the course and today the fruit is in the pudding,” he said.
The founding president of the Washington DC chapter, Chief Engineer Lawrence Okani, also paid tribute to his wife, Rita Okani, and Dr Gladys Anokam, identifying them as the women whose initiative and commitment laid the foundation for the chapter.
According to him, Rita Okani took the initiative to establish the club in the Washington DC area after travelling to two states to attend Enyimba Social Club events and learn about its traditions and operations.
He explained that his wife subsequently brought the application for the establishment of the Washington DC chapter and invited her friend, Dr Anokam, to join the process of recruiting founding members.
Okani said Dr Anokam, who serves as the club’s Second Lady at the national level, played an important role in mobilising prospective members for the chapter.
He said, “It is my pleasure to introduce the woman who brought the club to DC and then enlisted Second Lady Dr Gladys Anokam to help in recruiting founding members.”
He added that the women and their spouses would be recognised as the founders of the Washington DC chapter in appreciation of their contributions.
The recognition places the spotlight on the women’s role in extending the organisation’s presence to the US capital, with their efforts helping to establish a platform for social interaction, mutual support and the preservation of Igbo identity among members of the diaspora.
Speaking on the chapter’s journey, Okani said its establishment began in 2019 but faced challenges relating to commitment and leadership, which slowed the development of the organisation in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
He described the inauguration as an opportunity to renew the club’s commitment to the Igbo community in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia area.
According to him, Enyimba Social Club Washington DC is a family-oriented organisation founded on the principles of peace, love, empathy and service to humanity.
He said the club provides support for members during both joyful and difficult moments, adding that its strength depends on the commitment and participation of its members.
Okani noted that the organisation’s benefits and affordable registration fees were designed to encourage membership and make the club accessible to interested members of the community.
The chapter’s founding president also expressed appreciation to his family for their support throughout preparations for the inauguration and induction ceremony.
Tracing the history of the organisation, Ubabuike said Enyimba Social Club began on December 26, 1999, in Dallas, Texas, when 12 young families came together to establish the social organisation.
He said the club initially operated within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with His Royal Highness, Eze Walter Ekwu, the Ekegbukwu I of Lomara Ancient Kingdom, serving as its founding president.
According to him, the organisation expanded beyond its original base in 2003 with the inauguration and first induction of its Austin chapter, leading to the establishment of Enyimba Social Club USA, Inc., with its national headquarters in Dallas, Texas.
Ubabuike said the organisation had since grown into a family of about 600 members, united by a shared commitment to fairness, mutual assistance, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
He congratulated the Washington DC inductees, describing their admission as an opportunity to become part of an organisation that provides support to its members in good times and during periods of difficulty.
The national president urged the new members to uphold the club’s values, particularly its emphasis on reciprocity, equity and collective responsibility.
He cited the organisation’s guiding principle, “He who do he, do he,” which he translated as the golden rule of treating others as one would wish to be treated.
He also praised the Washington DC induction planning committee, led by Chief Fidelis Anokam, for its work in organising the ceremony, while acknowledging the support of chapter members and the leadership of Chief Lawrence Okani.
Ubabuike further welcomed guests who attended the event in support of the inductees, urging them to identify with the organisation’s commitment to family, friendship, care and community service.
In his remarks, Okani said the club’s philosophy of “Peace and Love” reflected the importance of solidarity among Igbo people living abroad, particularly through empathy, selflessness and willingness to support one another.
He said the inauguration should serve as a foundation for building a stronger organisation that would contribute positively to the Igbo community and preserve its cultural heritage for future generations.
The event concluded with a renewed call for unity and commitment among members, in line with the organisation’s motto: “One Club, One Family and One Love in Service to Enyimba Social Club USA.”
Uddy, Kylie celebrate colourful Igbo-American traditional wedding in California
Uddy Osuagwu and Kylie Bechtold have celebrated their traditional wedding in Concord, California, in a colourful ceremony that showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people alongside American family traditions.
The event, held at the Concord Center, brought together family members, friends and guests from different parts of the United States and beyond to witness the union of the couple in a celebration marked by culture, fashion and entertainment.
The wedding united the families of Chief Magzy and Lolo Ada Osuagwu and Mr. Scott and Mrs. Jodi Bechtold, symbolising a blend of Nigerian and American cultures.
Guests were treated to a vibrant display of Igbo traditional rites, with the couple adorned in elegant traditional attire, coral beads and isi agu regalia, while the ceremony featured music, dance and cultural performances.
Among the dignitaries in attendance was the Chairman of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Frank Nneji, alongside business leaders, community elders and members of the Nigerian diaspora from across the United States.
The celebration also attracted well-wishers from Nigeria and other parts of the world, showcasing the couple’s extensive personal and professional connections.
Speaking during the event, family members described the marriage as a pointer to the power of love to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries.
The ceremony was covered by the United States-based Excel Magazine International crew led by its Publisher, Boniface Ihiasota, who documented the event for audiences across Africa, Europe and North America.
The colourful wedding featured traditional Igbo marriage rites, cultural displays and a reception that extended into the evening, with guests celebrating the couple’s new journey together.
The event has been widely described by attendees as one of the memorable diaspora traditional weddings of the season, spotlighting the enduring bond between Nigerian cultural heritage and global multicultural communities.
Diaspora Watch Newspaper is pleased to announce the release of its 98th edition, presenting readers with another rich blend of impactful stories, insightful analyses and inspiring human-interest features from across the world.
Leading this edition is the heartwarming cover story, “Godchildren Honour Emmanuel and Joy Ojiribe at 40th Anniversary Celebration in US,” which chronicles the remarkable legacy of love, faith, mentorship and family built over four decades by the celebrated couple, culminating in a memorable celebration attended by loved ones and admirers.
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The edition also brings readers up to speed on major international developments, including US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an Intel-Apple chip deal, Ghana’s move towards a local takeover of Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mine, CARICOM’s renewed commitment to improving citizens’ lives under incoming Chair Pierre, the possibility of cocoa prices rising above $10,000 per tonne once again, a comprehensive 14-Point Roadmap to De-escalation and Reconstruction, Singapore’s impressive 38.4 per cent growth in non-oil exports driven by artificial intelligence, and warnings from Kew scientists that AI and digitalization could play a crucial role in preventing global plant extinction.
On the back page, readers will find the inspiring story of Adenugba, who has been honored with the African Diaspora Fashion Platform Award, recognizing excellence, creativity and outstanding contributions to fashion within the global African diaspora community.
As always, Diaspora Watch Newspaper remains committed to delivering credible journalism, promoting African excellence, strengthening diaspora engagement and providing readers with balanced perspectives on global affairs, business, innovation and development.
The 98th edition is now available to readers across print and digital platforms. We invite everyone to pick up a copy and stay informed on the stories shaping Africa, the diaspora and the wider world.
Ezeibe–Lassina Wedding Draws Top African Dignitaries To Marrakech, Morocco
By Boniface Ihiasota, Washington DC, USA
Marrakech, the historic and picturesque city in the Kingdom of Morocco, was transformed into a theatre of elegance and high society as African political elites, business magnates, diplomats and prominent families converged for the wedding of Munachi “Muna” Ezeibe and Cherina Zerbo Lassina.
The ceremony, which held between May 8 and 9 and covered by Diaspora Watch Newspaper, brought together influential guests from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Europe, Canada and the United States, in what can be described as one of the most sophisticated African destination weddings in recent times.
The union joined two respected families, that of Nigerian businessman Chief Ezeibe and the distinguished household of former Burkina Faso Prime Minister Dr. Zerbo Lassina.
Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar chaired the event as Father of the Day, adding political gravitas to an already glittering occasion.
In brief remarks that drew warm applause, he recalled his decades-long relationship with the groom’s father, noting that their friendship dated back to the 1980s, long before either man attained national prominence.
Atiku described Chief Ezeibe as “a great trustworthy man,” praising his consistency, loyalty and integrity over the years.
Turning to the couple, he offered a simple but powerful charge: “Love one another, trust each other, and always be there for one another — because at the end of the day, it’s just the two of you.”
He departed for Abuja shortly after, following goodwill messages to the newlyweds.
The emotional tone of the ceremony deepened when the groom’s mother, Mrs. Ezeibe, took the floor to speak about her son.
She described Muna as caring, dependable and exceptionally kind-hearted, recalling a touching childhood moment when he wrote her a letter at the age of eight, promising lifelong love, protection and support.
She disclosed that the letter remains preserved and laminated to this day.
Mrs. Ezeibe also spoke glowingly of Cherina, stating that after meeting her, she became convinced her son had found his true life partner.
She publicly welcomed the bride into the family as her second daughter and urged Muna to continue to cherish and love his wife.
The bride’s mother, Evelyne Zerbo Lassina, delivered a similarly emotional speech, noting the values of faith, unity, generosity and family bonding.
She praised Cherina’s compassionate nature and described Muna as a man of sincerity whose devotion had earned the confidence of her family.
Her remarks were met with repeated standing ovations from guests.
The ceremony attracted a high-profile guest list, including Margaret Obi, wife of Peter Obi; Chief and Lolo Emma Bishop Okonkwo; Chief Walter Chinedu Obi; Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and his wife, alongside several other dignitaries from political, diplomatic, traditional and business circles.
In her remarks, Mrs Margaret Obi congratulated the newlyweds and urged them to build their union on mutual respect, trust and understanding.
She described marriage as a sacred institution that thrives on patience, sacrifice and unwavering commitment, while praying for enduring peace, love and prosperity in their home.
“Marriage is not just about the glamour of the wedding day, but about friendship, tolerance and standing by one another through every season of life,” she said. “I pray that your home will continually flourish in love, happiness and God’s abundant blessings.”
She also commended both families for fostering unity and cultural harmony through the union, describing the event as a celebration of African excellence and shared values.
The wedding reflected a rich fusion of Nigerian tradition, Burkinabé heritage, Christian values and international sophistication, with Marrakech briefly serving as a meeting point of African culture, influence and elite social networks.
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