AHIAJOKU : South – West Coordinator, Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide, Chief Everest Ozonweke, Commend Governor Hope Uzodinma, Over Chief Gary Igariwey, Sir Stanley Amuchie’s  Appointments As Chairman, Deputy , Festival Planning Committee 

The foremost Popular Socio – Cultural, Political and Economic Development legacy festival , associated with the Igbos of the South East extraction, known as “Ahiajoku”, is slated to hold next year 2025.

In the visionary planning ahead of the epic festival, second to none in the contemporary Igbo anthropology, some veritable appointments have been made, which have been receiving applauses and tagged “putting a square pegs into square holes.

It is in recognition of this novel appointments ,that the Coordinator of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide,South- west Zone, Chief Everest Ozonweke, has commended Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, for the visionary decision to appoint Chief Gary Igariwey and Sir Stanley Amuchie as Chairman and Deputy Chairman, respectively, of the planning committee, for the 2025 Ahịajọkụ Lecture Festival. 

According to Chief Ozonweke, who many reverre and tag Ohanaeze Ndigbo encyclopedia, ” This strategic appointment demonstrates a commitment to not only honoring our rich cultural heritage but also ensuring that it is celebrated with the dignity and excellence it deserves”.

The elated South – West Coordinator, thanked Governor Uzodimma, “for taking this bold step towards the preservation of our cultural heritage”, stating that the governor has been outstanding in building a strong, cohesive Igbo Nation.

He added that Chief Gary Igariwey’s extensive experience as a former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, speaks volumes about his dedication to the preservation and promotion of our culture.

He said , His profound understanding of Igbo traditions and values will be instrumental in creating a festival that resonates with the community and showcases our collective identity”.

In addition, Chief Ozonweke noted that”Sir Stanley Amuchie’s proven managerial skills and his background in banking and administration are invaluable assets that will ensure the festival’s successful organization and execution.

” His reputation for efficiency and excellence assures us that this event will be planned meticulously, providing an unforgettable experience for all participants”, Ozonweke said.

His Words : “The synergy of Chief Igariwey’s cultural leadership and Sir Amuchie’s administrative expertise positions this committee as an exemplary team equipped to elevate the Ahịajọkụ Festival to new heights”. 

“Their collaborative efforts will undoubtedly foster an atmosphere of unity and pride among the Igbo community, reinforcing our bonds and celebrating our shared heritage”.

Speaking on Carrying every Igbo segments along in such highly exalted festival, the Igbo leader while further expressing his support for the appointment of the two illustrious Sons of Igbo Land, added thus : ,”Iam particularly excited about the inclusive nature of this committee, as it reflects the diverse representation within the Igbo nation, fostering a sense of belonging that is crucial to our cultural celebrations. This commitment to inclusivity is a powerful message about the strength of our unity as a people”.

He therefore called on all well meaning Igbos resident locally and abroad, to support the cultural legacy, which he said,has become an enigma of some sort .

On his own, he vowed and vauoched to give his usual unwavering support to the Committee.

“I express my unwavering support for the planning committee and look forward to a spectacular 2025 Ahịajọkụ Lecture Festival that not only honors our cultural legacy but also sets a new standard for cultural events in Nigeria. Let us all rally behind this initiative and work together to make it a resounding success”, Ozonweke said

 It would be recalled that in a recent press statement dated October 23,2024, the Director General of the Ahiajoku Center, Hon Nze Ray Emeana, had announced that preparations for the annual festival and lecture series was in top gear.

Emeana , had  while addressing News Hunters,x-rayed the origin of the Ahiajoku festival, which according to him, was initiated by the first Civilian Governor of Imo State, Chief Sam Mbakwe PhD, in 1999 as a discourse on the Igbo essence and Igbo heritage.

He was of the view that Ahiajoku Lecture Festival “provides us the moment and opportunity to celebrate not only our rich traditions and history, but also the intellectual and philosophical foundations that have defined us as a people. 

“Ahiajoku festival is more than a cultural exhibition—it is an intellectual harvest, deeply rooted in our ancestral reverence for agriculture, knowledge, and community. It serves as a reminder of who we are and where we are headed as a collective”.

Ahiajioku Lecture , he reiterated was instituted in 1979, under the leadership of the first elected Governor of the Old Imo State, Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe (Ph.D) as a pivotal Pan-Igbo forum for intellectual discourse on the Igbo essence and Igbo heritage. 

The vision behind Ahiajoku Festival was the creation of a pan-Igbo intellectual forum, for the Igbo people of South East Nigeria comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States as well as the South-South states with substantial Igbo populations such as Delta and Rivers States.

He confirmed that the topic for the lecture , as suggested by the Advisory Council and ratified by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma is: “THE FUTURE OF THE IGBO ECONOMY AMIDST THE CHALLENGES OF INSECURITY IN THE SOUTH EAST: A CALL FOR PARADIGM SHIFT”.

According to him,”this topic has been meticulously chosen to reflect the critical imperatives of our time among the Igbo people— our collective well-being, security, governance and socio-economic development. 

No doubt, he said Thus:”you will agree with me that this topic is highly relevant and will serve as a basis for stimulating intellectual engagement and dialogue across various strata of society, and charting a course of action for Ndigbo going forward”. 

He further noted that,Ahịajọkụ Lecture festival is not just a celebration; it is a festival for all lovers of Igbo culture, seekers of knowledge, and harbingers of progress. It provides a platform for critical discourse, deep reflection, and cultural pride. We invite all well-meaning individuals, cultural enthusiasts, scholars, and the international community to participate in this year’s event.