Amby Uneze in Owerri
The Planning Committee for the 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture series has been formally inaugurated in Owerri, capital of Imo State with a firm commitment to deliver one of the most intellectually rewarding and culturally enriching editions in the history of the prestigious Igbo festival.
The inauguration, held at the Ahiajoku Convention Center on Thursday, was performed on behalf of the governor by the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. (Mrs) Chinyere Ekomaru.
This year's lecture will be delivered by Professor Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, the revered Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka. Known for his profound insights drawn from theology and philosophy, Bishop Onah is a moral force in Nigeria’s public sphere, uniquely positioned to inspire transformative thinking on culture, politics, and development.
The Governor was hailed for his unwavering commitment to the cultural renaissance and intellectual reawakening of Ala Igbo. In her remarks, the Deputy Governor described governor Uzodimma as a leader who has continued to “demonstrate profound love for Igbo civilization and its advancement,” citing his efforts in reviving the Ahiajoku Lecture Festival and reconstructing cultural infrastructure across the state.
Speaking during the occasion, the Director General of the Ahiajoku Centre, Nze Ray Emeana, paid glowing tribute to Governor Uzodimma for reviving the lecture after years of neglect, stressing that this action “shows the governor’s deep love for the progress of Igboland and for the sacred intellectual altar of Ndigbo.”
The vice chairman of the planning committee, Chief Stan Amuchie while reading out a communique reached after the deliberation said that the Ahiajoku Lecture Festival stands as one of the most intellectually grounded and culturally significant annual gatherings in the history of Igbo civilization, adding that it was initiated in 1979 under the visionary leadership of then Imo State Governor, Dee Sam Mbakwe, as a platform to celebrate, preserve and advance the intellectual heritage, cultural values and philosophical worldview of the Igbo people.
Tracing its growth over the decades, he said the festival has evolved into a “festival of ideas” and “a rallying point for scholars, policymakers, traditional rulers and thought leaders to interrogate the Igbo condition and to propose pathways for collective advancement.”
Amuchie listed past lecturers who have graced the podium with their wisdom, including icons such as Professor Michael Echeruo, Professor Adiele Afigbo, Professor Chinua Achebe, Professor Donatus Nwoga, Professor Bede Okigbo, and Professor Barth Nnaji. He described them as individuals who “left indelible marks in the consciousness of Ndigbo and beyond.”
He emphasized that the festival is not merely a cultural event but “the soul of Igbo philosophy finding voice through scholarship,” adding that it is a “yearly communion of Igbo minds” reflecting on vital issues such as language endangerment, political inclusion, economic development, and intergenerational continuity.
The Planning Committee commended Governor Uzodimma for “rekindling the festival after years of neglect,” a move which has “restored what is clearly the most sacred intellectual altar of Ndigbo.” It also applauded the Governor for reconstructing the strategic road leading to the Ahiajoku Convention Center, which will “enhance access, improve aesthetics and boost the overall experience of participants.”
Amuchie disclosed that the 2025 edition would feature a “curated arts and crafts exhibition, a scholarly colloquium, captivating cultural displays, and of course, the Ahiajoku lecture proper,” describing the lineup as a “holistic celebration of Igbo culture and thought.”
The theme for this year’s lecture is: “The Future of Igbo Economy Amidst the Challenges of Insecurity in the Southeast: A Call for Paradigm Shift.”
According to Amuchie, “It is our belief that this topic will spark critical conversations and inspire policy action towards building a resilient and prosperous Igbo economy and addressing the fundamental challenges of insecurity.”
The Committee expressed appreciation to Bishop Onah for accepting the invitation to speak, saying “His acceptance is both an honour and a blessing to this festival.”
The planning committee is composed of illustrious Igbo personalities, drawn from across the intellectual, media, cultural and governmental spectrum. Notable members include Onuoha Ukeh, Managing Director of The Sun Newspaper, Professor Jerome Okonkwo, Paddy Obinna, Professor Fr. Philip Ogbonna, and representatives of the governments of the seven Igbo-speaking states, among others.
Amuchie noted that the participation of all seven Igbo-speaking states – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Rivers – had been secured, describing this as critical to ensuring the festival’s pan-Igbo character and its inter-state ownership.
Beyond Nigeria, Amuchie revealed that associations of Ndigbo in the diaspora have “signaled strong interest to participate,” following engagements by the Director General of the Ahiajoku Center with these global Igbo communities.
Amuchie extended an invitation to the media and the public, urging them to “support this noble endeavor,” which he described as “a movement, a reawakening of our collective consciousness, and a celebration of our timeless civilization.”
“Let us come together, across political, religious and generational lines, to give the 2025 Ahiajoku Festival the prominence it deserves. For in celebrating ourselves, we fortify our future, she said.”
The briefing marks a bold step in the preparation for what is shaping up to be a historic and transformative edition of the Ahiajoku Lecture Festival.
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