ICA Awards 2025
Celebrating the pomp and pageantry of Igbo culture at the first outdoor Igbo Day Festival in Southern California, Saturday August 30th, 2025.
The Igbo Community Association (ICA), Southern California, Inc. along with many Igbo Organizations in Southern California hosted the first outdoor Igbo Day Cultural Festival on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the Veterans Park, Carson, California
Present at the event were over 1,600 people representing the following Igbo State Associations- from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States and several Igbo groups in Southern California.
The event kicked off at about 2pm with opening prayers by Venerable Dr. Chris Odoemenna and opening remarks by the festival committee chairman Chief Chidi Ugwueze. This was followed by a beautiful rendition of the American national anthem by Anuli Chukwu and the Nigerian National anthem by Anthony Chidundu Oje.
After the National Anthems there was a presentation of kola nuts by Igbo women led by Dr. Mrs. Ethel Nwandu, the first lady of ICA Southern California, Inc. The kolanuts were received by a team of ICA leaders that included Prince Gabe Nwandu (President), Chief Andre Obih (Cultural Director), Chief Chidi Ugwueze (Planning Committee Chair), and Dr Christopher Ikeanyi (Contents Development Committee Chair). The ceremonial breaking of kola nuts was done by HRM Eze Ogele O. Ogele, Eze Dioha Nma 1 of Opasieke, Uturu.
Following the breaking of Kola Nuts, the President of ICA, Prince Gabe Nwandu gave his opening address during which he praised the unparalleled synergy, support and commitment of the community that led to huge success of this event. He also outlined other programs of the ICA like the Igbo Summer camp and urged everyone to support and join ICA in their efforts to give the Igbos in Southern California a pride of place in the larger American community.
After the President's address, the Secretary of ICA Dr. Sampson Akwafuo gave a brief lecture on Igbo history titled "Who are the Igbos".
Dr. Akwafuo's speech was followed by short remarks and certificate presentations by the Honorable Alex Monteiro, Mayor Pro Tem City of Hawthorne California and Mr. Moises Aglipay who represented the Mayor City of Carson and Assemblyman Mike Gipson of California's 65th Assembly District. Click here for more...
For more Igbo Day information, click here...
The Igbo Community Association (ICA) of Southern California is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation organized exclusively for charitable, cultural and educational purposes. It is also a public charity organized under code 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service, United States of America. Donors can deduct contributions they make to us under IRC Section 170. We're qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.
Objectives
- Educate members, their children and other Communities about Igbo language and culture.
- Promote the welfare of our members.
- Unite/Foster good relationships between Igbos and other ethnic goups.
- Promote educational, cultural, and economic advancement of Igbos.
- Display Igbo cultural heritage through cultural exchange with others.
- Host frequent cultural festivals with Arts, Crafts, and Music from our motherland.
Membership
Persons who are at least 18 years of age of an Igbo origin by birth, adoption, or marriage residing in Southern California, USA may apply to become a member of the Igbo Community Association (ICA) of Southern California. However, the Board of Directors (BOD) reserves the right to prohibit membership to any individual whose actions or objectives conflict with or are deemed detrimental to the objectives of ICA.
Igbo Summer Camp for Teens (Middle School) and Young Adults (High School) is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 21 through Saturday, June 27, 2026. It's a 7-day (6-nights) camp for a nominal cost of $250 per participant. It will feature: Igbo Language Curriculum; Igbo Culture, Traditions and Customs; Counseling and Wellness; Amusement Park Trip; Swimming; Igbo Drumming and Dance.
Parents and Guardians, please register your child(ren) as soon as possible because space is limited. To register, click here: Igbo Camp 2026 Registration.
After registration, please zelle $250 per participant to igbocalifornia@gmail.com before May 9, 2026.
Igbo Ukwu Head
Igbo Ukwu Pot