The Abiriba Women Cultural Organization (AWCO) was founded in 1959 by Late Mrs. Ugo Agu Mkpa (née Agwu Otisi), who became the organization's first President. At a time when very few Abiriba girls had access to education beyond the primary school level, Mrs. Ugo Agu Mkpa became a trailblazer.

Having received post-primary education at Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, and Women Training College, Umuahia, she demonstrated that educating the girl child could open doors to a better future. She brought together other educated Abiriba women to discuss how they could promote education and improve the wellbeing of women and girls in the community. These efforts led to the formation of AWCO in 1959.

As a registered Community Based Organization (CBO) and an NGO, AWCO participates in community development programs and activities aimed primarily at the development of the girl child and the care of the community's poor and neglected old men and women. To encourage education and "catch them young".

In 1983, AWCO established the first government-approved nursery school in Abia state's Aro/Ohaba L.G.A. She provided a school bus to transport students to and from school. Unfortunately, the school building was destroyed by fire in 1994 from unknown causes, thereby crippling the project.

As a result of her interest in post-primary education for girls, AWCO not only assisted the Egwuena Age Grade in clearing the site for the Egwuena Girls Secondary School, but also made other contributions to the school's development.