Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, have called on the Igbo people to come together and forge a united front for the progress of their nation. The call was made during the inspection of the new Ohaneze Ndigbo World Headquarters in Enugu State. The building, which is approximately 90% completed, is expected to be handed over in October 2026.
The new Ohaneze Ndigbo building, built by Okorocha, features two auditoriums, offices, a library, and a creative art space. The building is designed to preserve Igbo history and culture, with seven pillars and seven lights representing the seven Igbo-speaking states. The facility will replace the over 150-year-old Ohaneze Ndigbo secretariat and provide a permanent setting for Igbo art, history, and craft.
During the inspection, Mbah commended Okorocha for investing in the project, saying it will give Ohaneze Ndigbo the capacity to convene at scale on its own premises. He expressed excitement that a son of Igbo, Okorocha, identified Enugu as the homeland of Ndigbo and built the edifice. Mbah hoped that the building would be commissioned in a few weeks.
Okorocha said he was inspired to build the edifice after visiting the old secretariat and feeling it was not befitting. He stated that the project was a labor of love, aimed at showcasing the Igbo people as peace-loving, hardworking, and progressive. Okorocha emphasized that the building would serve as a symbol of Igbo pride and dignity.
The Managing Director of Walsh Blanc, Uloma Rochas Nwosu, revealed that the design of the building was inspired by the idea of uniting the Igbo people and preserving their history. She explained that the use of seven pillars and seven lights represented the seven Igbo-speaking states, while the 11 offices were set up to preserve Igbo history.
The new building will feature a library fitted for audiovisual reference and print, allowing for the preservation of oral history, recorded proceedings, and archive film. The old building is expected to be demolished, with some parts kept for historical purposes. Okorocha emphasized that the new secretariat would intervene on behalf of Igbo children in trouble abroad.
The project is seen as a significant development for the Igbo nation, with Mbah and Okorocha urging the people to come together and support the new building. The building is expected to serve as a symbol of Igbo unity and progress, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people.
Key points
- The new Ohaneze Ndigbo building is approximately 90% completed and expected to be handed over in October 2026.
- The building features two auditoriums, offices, a library, and a creative art space, designed to preserve Igbo history and culture.
- The project aims to promote unity and progress among the Igbo people, showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
