The 2026 Igbo Day celebration was launched in Umuahia, Abia state capital, on Monday night by Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The event, themed "The Igbo Charter And Development Of Alaigbo," featured a lecture, dinner, and panel discussions at the Michael Okpara auditorium. The Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, declared that his administration has retrieved and recovered the state, laying a solid foundation for its development.
Renowned veteran journalist and pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, chaired the event. Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, Chairman of the Igbo Charter Committee for Strategic Engagement for National Development, presented the keynote address virtually. Professor Moghalu emphasized that the Igbo Charter must be separated from party politics and serve as a non-partisan roadmap for development driven by merit, accountability, and measurable targets.
Professor Moghalu listed key priorities for Ndigbo, including promoting the Igbo language, creating a digital marketplace, strengthening diaspora engagement, improving security and investment, and shifting from dependence on remittances to productive investments. He urged Ndigbo to engage in practical implementation of policies rather than discussions and underscored the importance of true federalism, equitable citizenship, and devolution of power.
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, stated that the Igbo Day celebration was part of efforts to galvanize and harness the strength of Ndigbo through a unified development strategy. Despite individual brilliance, enterprise, and resilience, Ndigbo have yet to fully achieve their collective potential. The Igbo Charter for Strategic Engagement for National Development, written by over 67 Igbo technocrats and business leaders, provides a documented framework for engaging the Nigerian State and the wider world.
Senator Azuta-Mbata urged that the Igbo language be made compulsory in primary and secondary schools across Igboland. He also called on the Federal Government to find a political solution to the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently life-imprisoned. Governor Otti reported that his administration would reposition the state from conventional trading to digital commerce, in line with emerging global business trends using technology and digital delivery.
Governor Otti emphasized that Ndigbo, known for trading, are now deliberately shifting focus towards manufacturing and technology-driven commerce. The development of digital commerce will enable Abia entrepreneurs to compete globally rather than remain dependent on conventional physical markets. Otti stated that his administration is investing heavily in digital skills for young people, citing that some Abians trained under the TechRise Initiative are already working for global tech giants like Google and Amazon from Aba.
KEY_POINT: The 2026 Igbo Day celebration was themed "The Igbo Charter And Development Of Alaigbo" and featured a lecture, dinner, and panel discussions.
Key points
- Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu emphasized the importance of separating the Igbo Charter from party politics and driving development through merit, accountability, and measurable targets.
- Governor Otti's administration is repositioning Abia state from conventional trading to digital commerce and investing in digital skills for young people.
