Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, has declared September 29, 2024, as a day of prayer, reflection, and remembrance for the Igbo nation.
The declaration comes amid growing concerns over the persistent challenges facing the Southeast region, including insecurity, socio-political marginalization, and the erosion of cultural values.
In a statement on Sunday, Ohanaeze Ndigbo painted a grim picture of the current state of Igboland, describing it as “a crucible of suffering” due to the escalating violence and governance failures that have afflicted the region for decades.
The organization also highlighted the struggles of Igbo-speaking communities in Benue, Kogi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States, as well as the economic challenges faced by Igbo businesses in Nigeria.
“Our beloved Southeast has become a crucible of suffering, caught in the merciless grip of escalating insecurity and governance deficiencies,” the statement read.
The organization further lamented the impact of these challenges on the cultural and social fabric of the Igbo people, noting that it has led to “a lamentable deterioration of our cultural values and norms.”
Despite these adversities, Ohanaeze Ndigbo commended the resilience of the Igbo people, whose “remarkable resilience in the face of relentless provocations and confrontations” has been a source of strength.
The group praised the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbos, which it described as “the backbone of economic vitality across Nigeria and beyond.”
As part of the Igbo Day observance, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on all Igbos, both at home and in the diaspora, to observe a minute of silence at exactly 12 noon on September 29th.
This moment of silence will honor the memory of those who lost their lives to violence, ethnic strife, and state-induced calamities.
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, emphasized the importance of this day, stating,
“This is not merely a remembrance; it is an invitation for renewed hope and a commitment to healing our land through prayer, forgiveness, and a collective drive for justice.”
The 2024 Igbo Day, themed “Ozoemela” (Never Again), will feature prayers, traditional rites, and the erection of a memorial in Asaba, Delta State, to honor the victims of the Asaba Massacre.
“The erection of monumental structures in Asaba will serve both as a reminder of our past and as a declaration of our undying commitment to the pursuit of our common good,” Isiguzoro added.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo concluded its statement with a call for unity and divine intervention, urging all Nigerians and lovers of justice to stand in solidarity with the Igbo people during this significant moment.
