About Us
Igbo Amaka! We believe all people from igbo land can embrace who they are, can define their future, and can change the world.
Who we Are
Igbo Union Geneva (IUG) - Switzerland, is a non-profit organisation founded in 2006, in the canton of Geneva Switzerland by the people of igbo descent from South-East of Nigeria resident in Geneva and environs.
We use the term Igbo to refer to anyone that speaks Igbo, from Igbo land and exhibits Igbo culture hence an Igbo indigene. We happily preserve, celebrate and promote socio-cultural values of the Igbos hence a cultural organisation. Igbo Union Geneva membership is open to all IGBO indigenes and friends of igbo residing in Geneva and environ.
The decision gave birth to IGBO UNION GENEVA (IUG). The IUG will continue to give the Igbos sense of belonging most especially in a community where the Igbos are a minority.
For the past years, IUG has been operating as Nzuko Ndi Igbo South-West of Switzerland (NNSWS) and have organized series of cultural events aimed at promoting Igbo culture and also champion Nigerian ethnic promotion. During this time, the Igbo Union Geneva have extended hands of friendship to other countries while internalizing and working with other Nigerian Cultures. It was realised by the General Assembly (GA) that the name NNSWS was limiting the scope if the association and broader name that will cover the scope of the association is needed.
The Igbo Root
The Igbos are people that hail from South-Eastern and Niger Delta parts of Nigeria. These areas are watered by four main rivers namely: The Niger River, The Imo River, The Anambra River and The Ulasi Rivers. The rivers flow from the North through and proceed to the sea. The Igbo land is the birthplace of many Nigerian’s ancient civilizations and traditions, a region blessed with vibrant communities well recognized for philosophies of life, artistic creation, diverse cultural traits and religious festivals.
Igbo Land is enshrined with openness to mystery. The Ndi Igbo do not demarcate between a strictly material, sensual world and are pure spiritual people. It is the Igbo’s nature to view life as a continuum that extends beyond the demise of self-material.
As an Igbo indegene, we will celebrate the Oji (Kola nut). The Kola nut is the fruit of the kola tree, a genus (Cola) of trees that are native to the tropical rain forests of Africa. The caffeine-containing fruit of the tree is used as a flavouring ingredient in beverages, and is the origin of the term “cola”. The Kola Nut tradition is used for a variety of events, but it is a principal when welcoming guest to a village or house. Igbo elders believe that once the Kola nuts have been blessed with incantations (which can only be said in Igbo) then and only then will the visitors feel ensured that they are well and truly welcome.
The IUG aims are as follows:
1. Promoting a system of mutual support, unity, love and
understanding among the association members.
2. Keeping our social and cultural heritage alive by organizing
cultural events in our customs and as celebrated in the Igbo
cultural world and participating fully in the social and
economic life of the nation, Children and wives, the Igbo
language and culture.
3. Promoting a system that will enable Igbos fully integrate
into the Geneva society and Swiss at large.
4. Promoting the Igbo language project by organizing classes to
teach our Swiss-born children.
5. Establishing a network for delivering assistance to the
needy.
6. Establishing a voluntary and non-profit seeking institution
for Igbo people in Switzerland.
7. IUG will achieve these by organizing workshops and lectures,
symposium, exchange of ideas and entertainment. Igbo Union
Geneva is and shall remain apolitical. We are independent
non-profit making organization. The IUG, however, may receive
and accept donations on various kinds of social and cultural
events
Our Team
Our Mission
To create a conducive forum for Ndi Igbo, to strengthen brotherhood relationships through our beautiful customs and tradition of the Igbos. To provide a lens through which Igbo culture will be showcased. To partner with institutions in Geneva and environs, aimed at fostering responsible support towards integration and promotion of egalitarian multi-cultural society.
Our Vision
To stand in great solidarity with members and all people of goodwill to promote truth, justice, peace and cultural heritage here in Switzerland through pursuit of appropriate leading social activities such as organising cultural and humanitarian events as well as seminars designed to reenact the image of our great nation Nigeria.