Gov. Soludo Harps On United N’digbo

-Special Report-

WORLD IGBO DAY – Gov. Soludo Harps On United N’digbo

In a stirring address during the 2025 World Igbo Day celebration held at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo called on the Igbo people to embrace unity, introspection, and a renewed commitment to peace and progress.

The event, organized by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo, drew delegates from the seven Igbo-speaking states, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, and Rivers, and marked a solemn remembrance of Igbo heroes, including those massacred in Kano on September 29, 1966, and victims of the Nigerian Civil War.

Governor Soludo emphasized that the Igbo identity is rooted in mobility, resilience, and enterprise. He described the Igbo as an itinerant people whose prosperity depends on their ability to explore opportunities across Nigeria and beyond. “Igbos are too large and cannot be confined to one geographical region. Igbos need Nigeria and Nigeria needs Igbos. We are major stakeholders in the Nigerian project,” he declared.

He lamented the rising insecurity in the Southeast, noting that many of the perpetrators are Igbo themselves. Soludo criticized the sit-at-home orders and the criminal elements hiding in forests under the guise of agitation, asserting that these actions harm the Igbo more than they help. “More Igbos are dying in the hands of criminals in the bushes than those killed during the war,” he warned, urging Ohanaeze to take a firm stand against such violence.

The governor also called for a social and moral rebirth, encouraging Ndigbo to return to their core values and traditions. He stressed the importance of dialogue and collaboration in building a liveable and prosperous homeland, and advocated for a future-oriented debate on the destiny of Igboland.

In recognition of his leadership and advocacy, Ohanaeze Ndigbo honored Governor Soludo with the title “Ọkụnyeluife Ndigbo,” symbolizing his role as a torchbearer for the Igbo nation.

The 25th anniversary of World Igbo Day thus became not only a moment of reflection but also a rallying call for unity, peace, and purposeful action among the Igbo people.