Get Ready To Embrace The Future: The 2025 Ahiajoku Annual Lecture Is Here!

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience as brilliant Igbo minds from seven states will converge in the lively city of Owerri, the proud capital of Imo State, for the highly anticipated Ahiajoku Annual Lecture!

Originally set for September 26, this vibrant cultural extravaganza has been rescheduled to November 27th and 28th, allowing us to reconnect with the festival’s rich historical roots.

This year’s exciting theme, “The Future of Igbo Economy Amidst the Challenges of Insecurity in the Southeast: A Call for Paradigm Shift,” will be masterfully explored by none other than Most Reverend Prof. Godfrey Onah, the esteemed Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese. As a distinguished professor of philosophy and African epistemology, Bishop Onah is ready to take us on an enlightening journey filled with deep insights and moral clarity.

Renowned for his courage in advocating for justice, good governance, and the dignity of every individual, Bishop Onah embodies a remarkable blend of academic brilliance and inspiring spiritual leadership—making him a true catalyst for positive change.

As we face the storms impacting the Igbo nation, this theme beckons us towards a future overflowing with hope, innovation, and a heartfelt return to the values that have shaped our identity: entrepreneurship, hard work, and community spirit. It’s not just an exploration of nostalgia; it’s a vital inquiry into how we can reclaim our identity, boost our unity, and forge a thriving future in the face of economic turbulence, insecurity, and division.

Founded in 1979 by the visionary first civilian governor of Imo State, Sam Mbakwe, the Ahiajoku lecture series stands as a powerful testament to Igbo society. Ahiajoku is more than a celebration of our cultural heritage—it’s a spark for intellectual discourse, a catalyst for cultural renaissance, and a driving force for the development of the Igbo nation and beyond.

In the true spirit of Ahiajoku, we are called to reconnect with our core values: a profound respect for the earth, the strength of collective action, and an unwavering faith in divine providence. Governor Uzodimma’s revival of this festival is not merely a cultural event; it’s a passionate rallying cry for the Igbo to rise above our current challenges.

Over the years, some of the brightest Igbo minds, including legendary scholars and patriots like Professors MJC Echeruo, Chinua Achebe, Ben Nwabueze, and Adiele Afigbo, have used this platform to speak truth to power and craft powerful narratives that resonate with the Igbo people. This series has consistently aimed to safeguard and promote indigenous languages, cultural values, and unity, while advocating for the progress of our community and Nigeria as a whole.

Let’s remember, our economy thrives not on individual efforts alone but through collective responsibility and alignment with the divine.

This festival is not just a celebration; it’s an exhilarating fusion of ideas, where ancestral wisdom meets contemporary scholarship. No matter where we may roam, it’s a powerful reminder that we must remain rooted in our heritage.

Join us at the Ahiajoku Annual Lecture—let’s come together and envision a thrilling future, united in purpose and hope!