— COMMENDS GOV UZODIMMA FOR REVIVAL OF AHIAJOKU
— SAYS, IGBO VOICE MUST BE HEARD
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has formally endorsed the forthcoming 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture Festival, pledging the full cooperation of the apex Igbo body to ensure its success. Mbata gave the endorsement on Thursday, September 11, 2025, when the Planning Committee of the festival visited him at the Ohanaeze secretariat in Enugu.
The Igbo leader, who was joined by members of his executive, including Dr. Peter Aneke, National Treasurer, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, National Publicity Secretary, and Prof. Fred Eze, Vice President General (Enugu State), expressed delight at the visit and commended the committee for its commitment. “I hereby endorse the 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture Festival on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. We shall cooperate to ensure a successful festival. I will be there in person,” he assured.
Senator Mbata stressed that Ahiajoku remains an avenue for deep conversations among Ndigbo on issues of culture, language, and survival. He lamented UNESCO’s report that the Igbo language is endangered, urging urgent measures to avert cultural erosion. “The Bible says they that have ears, let them hear. We are encouraging studies and research on Igbo language and culture. We have set up a committee for that,” he disclosed.
He also revealed that his administration had instituted professorial endowment chairs in tertiary institutions to drive research in Igbo history, tradition, and language.
The Ohanaeze President General further tasked the organizers to deliver an excellent festival that would elevate Igbo cultural visibility, while extending gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for reviving the Ahiajoku Lecture Series. “Extend my regards and gratitude to Governor Uzodimma. Any role we are expected to play, we shall gladly play it. Our people must be heard,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Hon. Nze Ray Emeana, Director General of Ahiajoku Centre and Secretary of the Planning Committee, traced the origin and evolution of the Ahiajoku Lecture Festival. He recalled that the festival was inaugurated in 1979 by the iconic late Governor of Imo State, Chief Sam Mbakwe, as a platform for Igbo introspection and projection of the Igbo worldview.
Emeana highlighted the stature of intellectuals who have graced the Ahiajoku podium, including Professors MJC Echeruo, Chinua Achebe, Ben Nwabueze, Donatus Nwoga, Adiele Afigbo, Laz Ekwueme, and Barth Nnaji. He said their contributions helped establish Ahiajoku as Africa’s premier cultural festival of ideas, inspiring generations of Ndigbo to reconnect with their identity.
He further disclosed that the 2025 edition would be both historic and symbolic, marking the 45th anniversary and the 25th lecture in the series. He hailed Governor Uzodimma for his passion for cultural renaissance and his commitment to the survival of Igbo heritage, describing him as the torchbearer who brought Ahiajoku back to life after years of neglect.
According to Emeana, each Ahiajoku lecture has always been crafted to interrogate the most pressing challenges facing Ndigbo at a given time. “At this moment, insecurity and the resultant economic downturn are the twin malaise confronting our people. This year’s theme is therefore urgent and timely,” he said.
The 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture is scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025, in Owerri. It will be delivered by His Lordship, Most Rev. Professor Godfrey Onah, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, on the theme: “The Future of Igbo Economy Amidst the Challenges of Insecurity: A Call for Paradigm Shift.” The planning committee has a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwey, as chairman, and seasoned banker, Sir Stanley Amuchie as deputy.
With the apex leadership of Ndigbo fully on board, the festival now enjoys broader legitimacy and the moral weight of the Igbo nation, as it offers the festival a platform to drive home its message more forcefully, ensuring that the outcomes of the conversations resonate across Igboland and the global Igbo diaspora.
