By Nnedinma Michael
The 2025 Igbo Day Celebration in Awka brought together delegates from the seven Igbo-speaking states in a colourful display of culture, solidarity and dialogue. The event, themed “Ndigbo Onye Aghana Nwanneya” (Be Your Brother’s Keeper), underscored the urgent need for unity, peace and progress in Igboland.
The celebration attracted dignitaries including Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and Senator Ned Nwoko, among others, who used the platform to emphasize the importance of collective action in tackling insecurity and building a prosperous future for Ndi Igbo.
Governor Soludo, in his address, called for deep introspection among Igbos, reminding them of their identity as an itinerant and enterprising people who thrive on exploring opportunities. He urged Ohanaeze Ndigbo to rise firmly against criminals in the forests who disguise as agitators but continue to inflict pain on their people. Soludo also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in order to open the door for constructive dialogue on the future of the Igbo nation.
In his goodwill message, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, represented by the Deputy President-General, Chief Okey Nwadinobi, said the theme of this year’s celebration reflects the organization’s determination to foster unity and secure a common front for Ndigbo.
The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ned Nwoko, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Ogbueshi Godfrey, highlighted the remarkable achievements of Igbos across various fields of endeavour, noting that these accomplishments have earned global recognition and respect. However, he stressed that Ndigbo have only begun to scratch the surface of their true potential. He called for greater support for the ongoing agitation for the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state in the South-East and the 37th in Nigeria, insisting that this would correct decades of marginalization and injustice against the Anioma people.
Also speaking, the Anambra State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, expressed appreciation to all who contributed to the success of the event, reiterating that the unity of Ndigbo is non-negotiable.
Leaders at the event consistently emphasized the revival of core Igbo values such as integrity, hard work, and enterprise as vital tools for building a prosperous and secure homeland. The high point of the ceremony was the conferment of the chieftaincy title of “Oku Nyelu Ife” (Light That Brightens the Day) on Governor Soludo in recognition of his contributions to the Igbo cause.
Senator Nwoko further urged Ndigbo to safeguard their land, culture, and traditions while upholding law and order as the surest path to achieving their collective destiny.
