The UDU Club of Ebiraland Community Development Initiatives (UCE-CDI) has marked three decades of existence with support for families of deceased members and the donation of six motorcycles to strengthen grassroots security and community development in Kogi Central, Kogi State.
The motorcycles were presented to the chairmen of the five local government areas in Kogi Central, with an additional motorcycle donated to the head of the Upogoro Vigilante Group.
The initiative formed part of activities marking the organisation’s 30th anniversary, celebrating its journey from a socio-cultural association established in 1995 to a registered non-governmental and community development organisation.
According to the club’s anniversary account, UDU was founded in Idoji, Okene Local Government Area, by a group of young Ebira men drawn from different professional and social backgrounds, including teachers, traders, students and artisans.
The founders established the organisation to preserve Ebira culture and heritage, promote unity and serve as a pressure group advocating for the interests of the people and accountability in governance.
The club adopted the masquerade known as Aneku UDU as its cultural symbol. UDU means lion in the Ebira language, representing courage, unity and the determination to defend the interests of the community.
Over the years, the organisation experienced challenges arising from political interference and competing interests. However, it said it survived those difficult periods and learned the importance of remaining independent of political control.
The club explained that its founding members, who were young men when the organisation emerged in 1995, have since grown into elders and community leaders across different political affiliations.
It said its transformation into a registered NGO reflects a renewed commitment to non-partisan community development, with a focus on education, youth empowerment, peace, cultural preservation and accountability in leadership.
The motorcycle donation is intended to support security and mobility at the grassroots, particularly through the involvement of local government authorities and the Upogoro Vigilante Group.
The organisation also used the anniversary to remember its deceased members and extend support to their families, describing the gesture as part of its responsibility to honour those who contributed to the club’s growth and ideals.
As it looks beyond its first 30 years, UDU Club says it remains committed to community service and the preservation of Ebira identity, declaring that its mission has evolved from cultural expression and advocacy to a broader development movement.
The anniversary carries the theme: “30 Years of Honouring Heritage, Empowering Communities.”
The organisation reaffirmed its identity with its longstanding declaration: “Once a Lion, Always a Lion.”
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