Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has announced former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, as the guest lecturer for the 2026 Igbo Day celebration scheduled for September 28 and 29 in Umuahia, Abia State.
Prof Moghalu, a renowned economist and former presidential candidate, will deliver a lecture on the “Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development”, a document developed by an expanded committee constituted by the Senator John Azuta Mbata led Global Executive Council of Ohanaeze.
The Global Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference at Government House Umuahia.
He said the lecture would form a major part of the activities preceding the main Igbo Day celebration on September 29.
Dr Chukwu explained that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Njiko ka”, which conveys the idea of togetherness, informed the decision to focus the lecture on a strategic framework for the collective engagement of Ndigbo in national development.
According to him, Prof Moghalu chaired the Committee that produced the charter which articulates the worldview, aspirations and philosophy of the Igbo people and provide a framework for their engagement with the wider society.
“Mbata’s government felt the importance that it was categorically imperative that Igbo ought to have a document.
“A document that ought to be a Magna Carta, a document that embodies the worldview, thought pattern, social milieu, and organic philosophy of Ndigbo.
“Over and above all, a document which the next generation would see as a veritable pedestal on which they could thrive”, Dr Ezechi said.
The Ohaneze Global Publicity Secretary added that the document was intended to give Ndigbo “not only a sense of direction”, but also enhance their engagement with their environment and the wider world as well as provide a foundation on which future generations could build.
Dr Chukwu said the Global Executive Council constituted an all-inclusive committee of over 100 Igbo men and women from various sectors, whose months of deliberations produced the charter which Ohaneze intends to critically examine and unveiled to Ndigbo during the 2026 celebration.
He disclosed that seven panelists, representing the seven states that constitute the core organisation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, would participate in the discussion adding that the panelists were also members of the committee that worked on the charter.
According to the Ohanaeze spokesman, the lecture is scheduled for September 28 at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, where the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, is expected to host Ohanaeze leaders and other invited guests.
He said the 2026 Igbo Day celebration will also feature participation by members of the Igbo intelligentsia and Ndigbo in the diaspora through a virtual platform.
The Ohanaeze spokesman said the organisation’s President-General, Senator John Azuta Mbata, would deliver the welcome address/State of the Union address focusing on the theme, “Njikoka”,and formally declare the 2026 Igbo Day celebration open.
He said the main celebration will take place on September 29 and will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph, an interdenominational church service and the main event at the Michael Okpara Square Event Centre, behind the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.
Dr. Chukwu also said the programme would also feature a traditional Igbo Day march-past by the seven states of the core Ohanaeze Ndigbo structure, alongside participation by youths, women, traditional rulers, clergy, academics and other stakeholders.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Mr Emeka Sibeudu, said the Igbo day celebration would provide an opportunity for Ndigbo to reflect on their identity, aspirations and role in national development.
He also expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for hosting the event, adding that the celebration would provide an opportunity to “tell the whole world that the Igbo nation is what we are”.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu was present during the press conference.
