Group photography shortly after the courtesy visit by the 2025 Ahiajoku lecture series Central Planning Committee, in the middle with a walking stick is Senator John Azuta-Mbata, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide by his right is Nze Ray Emeana, the Director General of Ahiajoku Center.
…… Thumbs up Uzodimma for revival
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
As part of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s commitments in the upliftment and sustenance of Igbo sociocultural activities, Senator John Azuta-Mbata,the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has thrown his weight behind the forthcoming 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture Festival holding on Friday 26th September in Owerri Imo State capital.
Azuta-Mbata disclosed this on Thursday when the members of the central planning committee of the annual lecture fiesta led by Nze Ray Emeana paid him and members of his executive courtesy visit at the apex sociocultural organization’s secretariat in Enugu.
To demonstrate the importance attached to the visitation, the President General received the Imo State delegates along side with some of their key executive members that includes, Dr. Peter Aneke, National Treasurer, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, National Publicity Secretary, and Prof. Fred Eze, Vice President General (Enugu State).
He expressed happiness 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.
Mbata reiterated that Ahiajoku remains an avenue for deep conversations among Ndigbo on issues of culture, language, and survival, even as he decried 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.
The President General also revealed that his administration had instituted professorial endowment chairs in tertiary institutions to drive research in Igbo history, tradition, and language.
Mbata further tasked the organizers of the 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture Series to deliver an excellent lecture 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, Nze Ray Emeana, Director General of Ahiajoku Centre and Secretary of the Planning Committee, traced the origin and evolution of the Ahiajoku Lecture Festival.
Emeana 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 view globally.
He highlighted the intellectual status of those that have historically graced the podium of Ahiajoku lectures, including Professors MJC Echeruo, Chinua Achebe, Ben Nwabueze, Donatus Nwoga, Adiele Afigbo, Laz Ekwueme, and Barth Nnaji.
The Director General pointed out that the immense contributions of the Ahiajoku lecture ambassadors was the catalyst that spurred the establishment of Ahiajoku Cultural Center as the pivot to the institution of Africa’s premier cultural festival of ideas, inspiring generations of Ndigbo to reconnect with their ancestral 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.
Emeana also applauded Governor Uzodimma for his Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantra’s passion for cultural renaissance, especially as it concerns 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 as a people and race 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.”
It’s pertinent to reveal that the planning committee has a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwey, as its chairman, and seasoned banker, Sir Stanley Amuchie as deputy.
Interestingly, with the apex leadership of Ndigbo fully on board, the festival now enjoys broader legitimacy and the moral weight of the Igbo nation, moreso, it offers the festival a platform to drive home its message forcefully, ensuring that the outcomes of the conversations resonate across Igboland and the global Igbo diaspora.
