By Foster Akpore | Emonu-Orogun
21 December 2025
The Onomegware family converged for its End-of-Year Family Conference at the Enudi Compound, beside the Okpara Palace, Emonu-Orogun, with a renewed focus on unity, mentorship, and economic empowerment. The conference, held under the theme “Fostering Family Unity Through Entrepreneurship Support,” brought together family members, community leaders, and invited guests to strengthen bonds, celebrate progress, and promote entrepreneurship within the family.
Opening the conference, the convener, Ambassador Monday Enudi, described the gathering as more than a routine family event. He said it was an intentional effort to reinforce shared identity and collective responsibility.
“Today, we gather not just to celebrate another year of life, but to strengthen the bond that makes us who we are, one united family,” Enudi said. He noted that the theme underscored the belief that families grow stronger when members support one another to succeed in a changing world.
Tracing the origins of the initiative, Enudi explained that the family meetings began about three years ago as informal gatherings aimed at helping members truly know one another. “We started by coming together to eat, drink, and talk,” he recalled. “But as we saw the positive outcomes of our discussions, we realised the need to do more.”
This realisation led to the introduction of the Women Palliative Scheme in 2024 and, in 2025, a broader emphasis on entrepreneurship empowerment. According to Enudi, entrepreneurship has become more than a means of livelihood for the family. “It is a pathway to independence, innovation, and community upliftment,” he said, adding that the conference was designed to open doors for mentorship, business development, and collaboration.
In his goodwill message, the President General of Emonu-Orogun, Chief Wilfred Oliseneku, commended Enudi for his commitment to family unity. He described the initiative as a model worthy of emulation by other families and communities. Chief Oliseneku urged members to let go of past grievances and support one another, stressing that life is ultimately measured by relationships rather than material possessions. He also highlighted the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial skills within families as a foundation for collective growth.
The keynote lecture, titled “Fostering Family Unity with Entrepreneurship Support,” was delivered by Chief Kingsley Ebor, a respected teacher, peacebuilder, and former Onotu-Uku. He emphasised that the family remains the foundation of society, shaping values, behaviour, and emotional responses. According to him, strong families provide emotional support, moral guidance, social identity, protection, and a dependable support system that enables individuals to succeed.
Chief Ebor identified effective communication, love and mutual respect, shared values and responsibilities, and emotional support as key pillars for building strong families. He also underscored the role of economic stability, noting that financial hardship often fuels conflict within homes. Entrepreneurship, he said, offers families an opportunity to generate income, achieve financial independence, and strengthen unity when supported by skills development, access to finance, mentorship, and youth-focused initiatives.
A panel discussion featuring Chief Wilfred Oliseneku, Mr. Lucky Enegide, and Engr. Ogheneovo Ogu followed the lecture. Drawing from experiences in community leadership, civil society, and entrepreneurship, the panelists offered practical guidance on youth empowerment and financial management. They advised aspiring entrepreneurs to start small, remain disciplined, and invest wisely, cautioning against using empowerment funds for personal consumption.
In recognition of emerging entrepreneurs within the family, three members, Mr. Joseph Orurakpor of the Orurakpor gate, Mr. Reuben Iriferi of the Iriferi gate, and Mrs. Ngozi Tega Abraham Ogu of the Ogu gate, each received a grant of ₦100,000 to expand their businesses.
The conference also featured an award ceremony honouring individuals for their contributions to family development. Awards were presented to Ambassador Monday Enudi, Ambassador Dr. (Mrs.) Otega Ngozi Oguh Nwaokobia, Chief Kingsley Ebor, Mr. Richard Moses Osedji, Dr. Samuel Iriferi, Engr. Frederick Ojo, and Pastor Hon. Clement Onomeguare Isaac for their dedication to unity, mentorship, and progress within the family.
Beyond the formal sessions, the event included a light-hearted “First to Finish a Bottle of Pepsi” competition and a lively dance segment that brought members together in celebration.
Reflecting on the outcome of the conference, Enudi said the gathering was not merely about festivity but about preparing for the future. “Entrepreneurship is more than business,” he said. “It is a way to build independence and help the community. We grow stronger when we support one another.”
The 2025 Onomegware Family Conference reinforced the view that unity, guided by mentorship and practical empowerment, remains a viable path for families seeking long-term growth and stability.