Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has unveiled plans for the 2026 Igbo Day celebration scheduled for September 28 and 29 in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.
Speaking at a press conference held at Government House, Umuahia, on Wednesday, Ezechi Chukwu, Global Policy Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, called for greater unity and strategic engagement among Ndigbo at home and in the diaspora.
He said that the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Njiko Ka’, which translates ‘togetherness is best,’ was chosen to underscore the importance of unity among the Igbo people.
Chukwu, who spoke on behalf of John Azuta Mbata, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and the Global Executive Council, said the celebration would provide an opportunity for Ndigbo to reflect on their past, present and future while strengthening their sense of collective identity and purpose.
He explained that activities would commence on September 28 with a public lecture titled, Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development, to be delivered by Kingsley Moghalu, renowned economist, banker and a former presidential candidate in Nigeria.
According to him, the lecture would focus on the Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development, a document developed by an inclusive committee of more than 100 Igbo professionals and stakeholders drawn from various sectors, including the academia, public service, traditional institutions, the clergy, women and youth groups.
Chukwu said the charter was conceived as a strategic document that would articulate the aspirations, worldview and development priorities of Ndigbo and provide a framework for engaging the wider Nigerian society and the global community.
‘It is an opportunity for us to revitalise our sense of oneness as one people and to reflect on where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going to, in a very amiable and fraternal sense of organic solidarity,’ he said.
He disclosed that the lecture, scheduled to hold at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House, Umuahia, which is a prelude to the main day, would feature seven panelists representing the seven core states of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, including the five South-East states as well as Rivers and Delta states, with participants from the diaspora also expected to join virtually.
Chukwu added that John Azuta Mbata, President-General of Ohaneze, would deliver a welcome address and formally declare Igbo Day 2026 open during the event.
According to him, the main Igbo Day celebration would take place on September 29 at the Michael Okpara Square Events Centre, near the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal, Umuahia, beginning with the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph and an interdenominational church service, and would be rounded off with celebrations at the Michael Okpara Auditorium.
He said the main event would feature the President-General’s state of the union address on the theme ‘Njiko Ka,’ the traditional Igbo Day march-past by the seven core Igbo states, goodwill messages, cultural activities and presentations by youth groups.
He further disclosed that Igbo chapters and affiliate organisations from different parts of Nigeria, as well as diaspora chapters, would participate in the celebration while Igbo leaders from the clergy, the academia, traditional institutions, women and youth groups were expected to attend.
Chukwu said the celebration would also provide an opportunity to draw lessons from previous themes, including ‘Ak? b? Ije’ (Wisdom is the path) and ‘Onyeaghala Nwanneya’ (no one should abandon his kinsman), adopted at the 2024 and 2025 Igbo Day celebrations, and apply them to the current call for greater unity.
He expressed appreciation to the Abia State Government and Governor Alex Otti for hosting the 2026 Igbo Day celebration.