Recipients express deep gratitude as organizers recognize their outstanding contributions
The 2025 Ugwu Mbaise Cultural Festival reached a joyful climax as the champions officially received their cash gifts from the organizers. Held under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, the award ceremony, which took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, was indeed a gathering of victors as the winners in various categories of the just concluded 2025 Ugwu Mbaise Cultural Festivals on December 23, 2025, were celebrated.
The meeting was chaired by Rev. Fr. Dr. Val Anyanwu, the coordinator, who, specially, thanked the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese for reviving this great celebration of the Mbaise cultural heritage and the various groups for deeming it worthy to participate actively during the cultural fiesta. He once more harped on the great import of the Mbaise culture and the dire need to keep it alive. Fr. Anyanwu extended warm greetings of gratitude to the various sponsors. He equally congratulated the winners and handed over their prizes to them, assuring them of notable improvements in subsequent outings.
Below is the list of the winners and prizes.
For Dancing Competition (Men’s Category)
- 1st Position: Shakpara Cultural Dance, Okpofe (₦500,000)
- 2nd Position: Nnarambia Cultural Association (₦300,000)
- 3rd Position: Agborogwu Dance, Obetiti Nguru (₦200,000)
Women Category
- 1st Position: Umunwanyi Chimereze Dance Group, Umuokawa Ogbe (₦500,000)
- 2nd Position: Di bu Ugwu Cultural Dance Group, Umumbochi Oboama Nguru (₦300,000)
- 3rd Position: Dibugwu Dance Group, Umuaghara Ogbe (₦200,000)
Youth Category
- 1st Position: Egwu Ure Dance Group, Umuoma Ogbe (₦500,000)
- 2nd Position: Ojianaya Lere Dance Group, Lude Ahiara (₦300,000)
- 3rd Position: Egwure Dance Group, Umuevu Okrika Nweke (₦200,000)
For Cultural Pageant (Ada Ugwu Mbaise)
- 1st Position: Ezinne Mirian Onyeananam (₦150,000)
- 2nd Position: Alozie Precious Ifunanyachukwu (₦60,000)
- 3rd Position: Anaele Abigail Amarachi (₦40,000)
Opara Ugwu Mbaise
- Winner: Ihee John Ozioma (₦80,000)
With cheers and applause, the recipients of the prizes related their sentiments of gratitude to the bishop, organizers, and sponsors for all their efforts towards the reality of the event and fulfillment of their promises. They pledged more commitment, dedication, and participation in the forthcoming episodes.
This star-studded rendezvous was indeed a remarkable one, as it served as an encouragement to the winners of the just-concluded episode and promised more engagement and participation in the future.
