Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for prayer and reflection amidst escalating insecurity in Igboland

August 03, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a prominent socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, has designated September 29, 2024, as a day for prayer, introspection, and remembrance for the Igbo nation.

This declaration comes at a time when the Southeast region is grappling with numerous challenges, including insecurity, socio-political marginalization, and cultural erosion.

In a recent statement, Ohanaeze Ndigbo portrayed a dire picture of the current state of Igboland, describing it as a “crucible of suffering” due to escalating violence and governance failures that have plagued the region for decades.

The organization also acknowledged the struggles of Igbo-speaking communities in neighboring states, including Benue, Kogi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers, as well as the economic hurdles faced by Igbo businesses in Nigeria.

This day of prayer, reflection, and remembrance serves as a call to action for the Igbo nation to come together and address the pressing issues affecting their communities. It is an opportunity for collective introspection, seeking guidance, and charting a course towards a brighter future for the Igbo people.

The organization also highlighted the struggles of Igbo-speaking communities in Benue, Kogi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States, as well as the economic challenges faced by Igbo businesses in Nigeria.

“Our beloved Southeast has become a crucible of suffering, caught in the merciless grip of escalating insecurity and governance deficiencies,” the statement read.

a lamentable deterioration of our cultural values and norms.”

Despite these adversities, Ohanaeze Ndigbo commended the resilience of the Igbo people, whose “remarkable resilience in the face of relentless provocations and confrontations” has been a source of strength.

The group praised the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbos, which it described as “the backbone of economic vitality across Nigeria and beyond.”