Akudo Nnewi
National President Peoples Club of Nigeria International
Despite problems, the spirit of the Igbo people stood firm, and they still helped themselves. This is what the People’s Club of Nigeria stands for.
After the Nigerian civil war that occurred from 1967-1970, they started the club in 1971 at Aba, Abia State. During that period, everything scattered. People lacked money, work was finished, and politics was unfavourable.
But this club brought hope, unity, and a better life. Over fifty years have passed, and the club has turned global, bringing Nigerians, especially the Igbo people, together through unity, aid, and pride in the culture.
How It Started- After War Challenges and the Spirit of Brotherhood
The civil war tears Nigeria, especially the Igbo area, left the Igbo people with nothing- houses got burnt, businesses got spoilt, and people had no good chances again. Even the federal government gave them only £20 after the war, no matter how much money anyone had before the war started. It was inside this pain that Chief Titus Ike Umezeoke, the Oyinma of Amichi, taught of starting a club to bring people together again.
People Who Started It.
Titus Ume-Ezeoke’s business went down because of the war. He called some of his friends, like Chief Umeohamadike Obieze (Azukaenyi of Unubi), to do something about it.
They’ve got two main plans:
1. Social Reconnection: let leaders reconnect again and build friendships.
2. Economic Revival: Let them support each other’s businesses and start life again.
Their motto is “Be your brother’s keeper,” and their values are Unity, Love and Service.
The Ume-Ezeoke Family Legacy.
This family is so strong in Nigeria politics:
Sir Geoffrey Ume-Ezeoke is the Accountant General in Old Anambra.
Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke is the speaker in the House of Representatives from 1979- 1983.
HRH Igwe Peter Umeorimili Ezeoke is the traditional ruler of Amichi
The family shows that service to people should come first.
How the club Grew Bigger and Went Global.
From its small beginning in Aba, the club has escalated very well. By 2000, they had branches already in every big city in Naija. Afterwards, moved the headquarters to Onitsha and Anambra state. Today, they have branches in America, Europe, and Asia, as well as anywhere Igbo people are found.
How The Club Was Operated
Membership: This is for people who have succeeded already, people who have Igbo culture and the spirit of help in their hearts.
Leadership: Every branch has elected officers who are under the National Executive Council.
Charity Work: They help out with food, hospital problems, and school challenges.
Calgary Branch– Diaspora Success Story.
How It Started By Chance:
In 2011, Mazi Ben Ezenta met Chief Paul Eneh at the mall in Calgary. This connection flowed between them because they were Igbo. From there, they began to discuss starting a club.
Grassroots Movement:
Nze Dan Metuh, Leo Agoawike and Nnamdi Ahajumobi joined, and they began to meet regularly. After many ideas, they chose to carry the People’s Club name because of his respect.
Challenges and Progress
Induction problem: U.S branches intended to take $ 10,000 per person, but they never agreed.
Support from Home: They got their sponsorship from Abuja Branch Nigeria.
Launch: In 2016, they officially opened with 13 persons under National President Sam Iwuchukwu.
Then, by 2022, they were already 23 in number, and Hon Ben Ezenta replaced Chief Paul Eneh as Chairman.
This story shows that from a little meeting, a good, strong brotherhood can grow.
What the Club Had Done
Economic Empowerment:
Loans Without Interest: They used their money to support businesses after the war.
Advocacy: They pushed the government to create better laws for businesses.
Education and Youth Development:
Scholarships: They support poor students at university in Igbo land.
Mentorship: They connect young people with successful Igbo leaders.
Free Medical Missions: Surgery and medicine for rural people.
Hospital Projects: They built hospitals like People’s Club Specialists Hospital at Nnewi.
Culture Preservation:
Igbo Language: They sponsor books and radio programs so the language would still exist.
Igbo Day Festival: Yearly celebration with dance, music and traditional wear.
Problems Still Occurring:
Even with all these good things, they are still facing some challenges:
Elitism: Some People say they follow only the rich.
Too much protocol: Sometimes, their entering process is too long and political.
Past, Present and the Future
The People’s Club is like a Phoenix- It rises from war ash and turns into a big movement.
The Impact:
Nnewi Industrial Boom:
Members turned Nnewi into the “Japan of Africa.”
Diaspora Support: Calgary and others helped keep culture abroad.
Political Voice: They fought for fair treatment and an Igbo voice for the government.
As they will be 60 years old soon, they needed to balance the old ways with the new—open doors for more people, go digital and make youth emerge as leaders.
The People’s Club of Nigeria isn’t just a social group- it’s a real movement. From wartime till now, leaders have been raised, businesses have grown, and protection of the Igbo culture globally has been protected. From Aba to Calgary, this club proves that “Onye ndi iro gbara gburugburu, ya na-enwe ndi enyi” – Meaning one surrounded by enemies needs good friends around him. The club still shines as a light of hope for Nigeria and Igbo people all over the world.
References
• Ume-Ezeoke, Titus. The People’s Club: Our Journey of Unity*. Onitsha: People’s Club Press, 2005.
• Ezenta, Ben. Building Brotherhood in the Diaspora: The Calgary Branch Story. Calgary: PCI Calgary Publications, 2022.
• Metuh, Dan. Igbo Renaissance: The Role of Socio-Cultural Clubs. Enugu: New Generation Publishers, 2018.
• People’s Club International. Golden Jubilee: 50 Years of Service. Onitsha: PCI Publications, 2021.Nwosu, Ngozi. Post-War Igbo Identity and the People’s Club Legacy*. Lagos: Pan-African Press, 2019.
