The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has invited all Igbos worldwide to come together for the 2024 Igbo Day celebration, a sacred event dedicated to seeking divine intervention to address the decades of suffering, oppression, and socio-economic marginalization endured by the Igbo people.
In a statement released on Sunday, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, emphasized that the 2024 Igbo Day is not just a commemoration but a pivotal moment for prayer and reflection. The central theme of the event, “Ozoemela” (Never Again), underscores the need for healing, reconciliation, and moving beyond past grievances.
The statement highlighted the long-standing issues plaguing the Southeast region, including socio-political marginalization, escalating insecurity, and the erosion of cultural values. These challenges, deeply rooted since Nigeria’s amalgamation in 1914, have led to widespread suffering among the Igbo-speaking states and minority communities in Benue, Kogi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States. The Igbo business communities in Northern and Western Nigeria have also faced significant obstacles, further exacerbating their plight.
Despite these adversities, Ohanaeze Ndigbo commended the unwavering resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo people, who have historically been the backbone of Nigeria’s economic vitality. The statement paid tribute to the immense sacrifices made by Igbo forebearers, including the brave women of the 1929 Aba Women’s War, the victims of the Enugu coal mine incident, and the countless lives lost during the Biafran War and other violent events.
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As the 2024 Igbo Day approaches on September 29th, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on all Igbos, both at home and in the diaspora, to observe a minute of silence at exactly 12 noon in their respective time zones. This act of remembrance is dedicated to honoring the departed heroes who lost their lives due to violence, ethnic strife, and state-induced calamities.
The 2024 Igbo Day will be marked by a series of solemn events, including church services, Muslim prayers, and traditional rites. Under the guidance of Prince Dr. Richard Ozobu, Chairman of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Council, monumental remembrance prayers and rituals will take place across all Igbo-speaking states. A significant highlight will be the erection of structures in Asaba, Delta State, in memory of the Asaba Massacre, symbolizing a commitment to justice and a renewed hope for the future.
