In the forthcoming Igbo Day celebration scheduled for September 29, 2023, the pre-eminent Igbo socio-cultural collective, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has announced plans to posthumously honour a selection of notable Igbo figures. This annual event is dedicated to commemorating the memory of illustrious heroes of Igbo descent.
Among the honourees for this year’s occasion are Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President; Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, the former Head of State; and Odumegwu Ojukwu, the erstwhile Biafran leader. Other distinguished individuals to be recognised include Dr. Alex Ekwueme, a former Vice President; Dr. Akanu Ibiam, former governor of the old eastern region; Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, former military governor of the old Western region; Michael Okpara, former Premier of the old Eastern region; and Gen. Phillip Effiong, who served as the second-in-command to the Biafran Head of State.
This decision was part of the resolutions from the recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo. According to Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, the 2023 Igbo Day will be presided over by esteemed Igbo philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze.
Additionally, the Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze confirmed their intent to honour both fallen and living heroes during the Igbo Day ceremony, viewing the event as a vibrant cultural celebration, a platform for the revival of the Igbo language, and a chance to address the challenges faced by the Igbo community.
The Secretary General of the Ohanaeze faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, disclosed that this year’s celebration would take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 29. He explained that the choice of location was based on the principle of equitable representation, as Rivers State is the only member state of the seven Ohanaeze states (Abia, Anambra, Delta (Anioma), Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (Igbo speaking)) that has yet to host the annual event. Notably, the Ohanaeze Constitution’s rotation clause stipulates that it is Rivers’ turn to produce the next President General in 2024.
SOURCE: The Guardian
IMAGE: Wikipedia
