Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, a socio-cultural organisation, says it will unveil “Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development” at the 2026 Igbo Day celebration in Umuahia.
Its Global Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, said this on Wednesday during a news conference in Umuahia.
Chukwu said the charter was developed by an expanded committee of no fewer than 100 Igbo men and women drawn from various sectors of society.
He said that the document was conceived as a Magna Carta embodying the worldview, aspirations, social milieu and philosophy of “Ndigbo”.
According to him, the charter is also intended to provide direction for “Ndigbo”, enhance their engagement with the wider society and serve as a foundation for future generations.
He said that the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and former presidential candidate, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu,would deliver the keynote lecture on the charter.
Chukwu said that Moghalu chaired the committee that produced the document after months of deliberations involving technocrats, academics, women, youths, traditional rulers, clergy and other stakeholders.
He said the lecture, entitled “Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development”, would hold on Sept. 28 at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
According to him, seven panelists representing the seven states that constitute the core structure of Ohanaeze would also participate in the discussion.
He said that the panelists were members of the committee that worked on the charter and would help to critically examine and explain its contents to Ndigbo.
Chukwu said that the lecture would precede the main Igbo Day celebration scheduled for Sept. 29, with this year’s theme as “Njiko Ka”, meaning togetherness.
He said that the President-General of Ohanaeze, Sen. John Azuta-Mbata, would deliver the State of the Union address and formally declare the celebration open.
The publicity secretary said the main celebration would feature a wreath-laying ceremony at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph, an interdenominational service while the main event would hold at the Michael Okpara Square Event Centre, Umuahia.
He said it would also feature a traditional Igbo Day march-past by the seven states of the core Ohanaeze structure, as well as participation by youths, women, traditional rulers, clergy, academics and other stakeholders.
Chukwu said that Igbo intelligentsia and Ndigbo in the diaspora would participate in the activities virtually.
He added that the celebration would provide an opportunity for “Ndigbo” to reflect on their identity, aspirations and role in national development.
The Secretary-General of the organisation, Mr Emeka Sibeudu, appreciated Gov. Alex Otti of Abia for hosting the celebration.
Sibeudu said the event would provide an opportunity to showcase the identity, aspirations and collective spirit of Ndigbo.
(NAN)
