Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, have called for the renewal of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organisation representing the Igbo people. The duo made the call in Lagos on Tuesday at the unveiling of a book, “Ohanaeze at 50 – The Burden of Memory, The Politics of Relevance: A Critical Biographical Reflection of an Igbo Institution,” authored by Agbeze Onuma. The book examines the organisation's 50-year history and its relevance in modern times.
Governor Otti, who was the special guest of honour, said the 50th anniversary of Ohanaeze should be a period of honest reflection on the organisation's past, present relevance, and future. He stressed that the book raised fundamental questions about institutional renewal, generational transition, and the relationship between leadership and the people it claimed to represent. Otti emphasised that Ohanaeze's future relevance must be earned continuously, not solely relying on its heritage.
Otti further stated that the future of Ndigbo could not be secured by nostalgia alone, but through institutions that understand the aspirations of young people, embracing technology and innovation, engaging the global Igbo diaspora, and translating cultural identity into economic, intellectual, and political strength. He urged Ohanaeze to build institutions capable of responding to the aspirations of younger generations. The governor also questioned whether Ohanaeze's institutions were sufficiently responsive to the times in which they lived.
The Obi of Onitsha, Achebe, also spoke at the event, urging Ohanaeze to return to its role as a socio-cultural organisation and remain above partisan politics. He recalled expressing similar concerns to the author during an interview in 2010, warning about the fragmentation of the Igbo and its effect on their collective position in Nigeria and globally. Achebe emphasised that Ohanaeze's real strength lay with the grassroots and that no politician should hijack the organisation for personal gains.
Achebe criticised the divisions within Ohanaeze, saying the Igbo needed to develop a collective agenda that transcended political affiliations. He argued that the organisation's inability to speak with one voice had weakened the influence of the Igbo. Achebe challenged Ohanaeze leaders to treat the book as a mirror and use its criticisms to strengthen the organisation. He also urged the Igbo to translate their strengths in education, entrepreneurship, and global influence into institutional power.
The book reviewer, Prof Okey Anueyiagu, identified institutional renewal as a central issue raised by the book, saying Ohanaeze stood at a historic crossroads after 50 years. Anueyiagu urged the Igbo to move from reactive agitation to structured, proactive, and strategic regional governance. He called for sustainable economic institutions, modern transport and energy infrastructure, stronger grassroots structures, and greater investment in technology, commerce, and innovation.
Other speakers at the event, including Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and Everest Ozonweke, a Lagos State leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, also emphasised the need for the Igbo to celebrate their heritage while working with other ethnic groups to develop Nigeria. They urged Ohanaeze to examine its shortcomings and work towards building a stronger, more relevant organisation.
Key points
- Ohanaeze Ndigbo must remain above partisan politics and focus on its role as a socio-cultural organisation.
- The organisation's 50th anniversary is an opportunity for honest reflection on its past, present relevance, and future.
- Ohanaeze must build institutions capable of responding to the aspirations of younger generations and translating cultural identity into economic, intellectual, and political strength.
