Anya-Ndi-Igbo, a non-partisan, socio-political and economic development-oriented organization, has said Igbo nation uses its Day, which is observed on the 29th of September every year, to reflect the essence of its existence and deplore sad state of things in Igbo land.
In a chart with our correspondent in Enugu on how the event had been celebrated in the past, the President of Anya-Ndi-Igbo, Engr. Chris Okoye, said the occasion is usually leaden with emotions, reflection, with tolling of bells at noon in all the churches in Igboland, other towns in Nigeria, and in the diaspora to reflect the mood of the occasion.
He said church services are held in every church in Igboland, other parts of Nigeria and in the diaspora, while exhibition of Igbo contributions to world civilization and special prayer for the survival of the Igbo nation also feature very prominently.
Very importantly too is the laying of wreath and observance of “2 minutes silence” at noon in honour of those who laid down their lives for the Igbo Nation as well as 21 gun salute and short interdenominational service at the state capitals.
Engr. Okoye, who served as the
Chairman, Ohanaeze Strategic/Planning Committee, Chairman of 2007 Igbo Day
Planning and Organizing Committee, said September 29, remains a memorial.
According to Engr. Okoye, it is a day the Igbo, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, pause and reflect on their origin, identity, present circumstances, and what the uncertain future holds in store for the people.
"It is a day we remember our fathers who created the institutions and values of Igbo life; the day we re-dedicate ourselves to respect for human life, fortitude in the face of danger, selfless devotion to the family and the community, discipline, moderation and integrity as the anchors on which our lives rest.
"It is the day we pay tribute to the great Igbo men and women who fought bravely against British oppressors, and those who even sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Nigerian freedom.
"A day we commemorate those who were maimed, murdered and mutilated in the various massacres in Nigeria from 1952 to date, and those who paid the supreme sacrifice for our continued existence as Ndiigbo during the Nigeria/Biafra war.
"It is also a day we think about our children, grandchildren and the calamities which, if we do not take sufficient and effective care to address, may befall them in the ever changing dynamics of Nigerian politics.
"It is a day for sober reflection and prayer to Almighty God to guide us in everything we do.
"It is refreshing to recall that Ndiigbo entered the 20th century as a proud race.
"Regrettably, we ended it as an endangered culture. Some of us had expected that the beginning of the 21st century would have ignited a sustainable period of self reclamation.
"Unfortunately, we have not been able to begin that process because of our failure to take our destiny in our hands.
Engr. Okoye said the history and the development of Nigeria would have been quite different without the pioneering roles played by many Igbos, in various spheres of human endeavour.
"It is when we look back that we ask what social set up and value system that must have produced such greats, in contrast to what is happening to Ndiigbo today.
"We have the potentials and resources but, unfortunately, we have not been able to harness the tremendous potentials we have in the development of Ala-Igbo.
"This thus creates the agenda for the mobilization of our people to look inwards to harness our inner strengths and resources in order to shape our collective destiny.
Engr Okoye went further to say that in 2007 the following activities were put together to have a robust celebration.
Print media features on the history of Igbos, their culture, ethics and current challenges of existence in Nigeria.
"Special radio feature/commentary on the Nigeria/Biafra war, and the sufferings the Igbo endured.
Special television discussion programme on the Nigeria/Biafra war; what Igbos endured, including their present unflattering predicament.
"Print media features the history of Igbos, their culture, ethics and current challenges of existence in Nigeria.
"Special radio/Television talk shows on restructuring Nigeria.
Workshop on the role of the youth in the development of Igbo society. (Why Igbos abhor prostitution, assassination, armed robbery, 419, ritual killing, human trafficking, cheating, etc as means of livelihood).
Symposium on the challenges of developing Igboland.
Meeting of the ethnic nationalities movement of Nigeria.
Honour for Igbo public officials who have exhibited exemplary leadership qualities and commitment to the development of their fatherland.
March past by Ohanaeze State contingents from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Rivers.
March past of delegates from the indigenous Igbo population of Edo, Kogi, Benue, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States, among many other functions.
Afriquecast
Anya-Ndi-Igbo, a non-partisan, socio-political and economic development-oriented organization, has said Igbo nation uses its Day, which is observed on the 29th of September every year, to reflect the essence of its existence and deplore sad state of things in Igbo land.
In a chart with our correspondent in Enugu on how the event had been celebrated in the past, the President of Anya-Ndi-Igbo, Engr. Chris Okoye, said the occasion is usually leaden with emotions, reflection, with tolling of bells at noon in all the churches in Igboland, other towns in Nigeria, and in the diaspora to reflect the mood of the occasion.
He said church services are held in every church in Igboland, other parts of Nigeria and in the diaspora, while exhibition of Igbo contributions to world civilization and special prayer for the survival of the Igbo nation also feature very prominently.
Very importantly too is the laying of wreath and observance of “2 minutes silence” at noon in honour of those who laid down their lives for the Igbo Nation as well as 21 gun salute and short interdenominational service at the state capitals.
Engr. Okoye, who served as the
Chairman, Ohanaeze Strategic/Planning Committee, Chairman of 2007 Igbo Day
Planning and Organizing Committee, said September 29, remains a memorial.
According to Engr. Okoye, it is a day the Igbo, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, pause and reflect on their origin, identity, present circumstances, and what the uncertain future holds in store for the people.
"It is a day we remember our fathers who created the institutions and values of Igbo life; the day we re-dedicate ourselves to respect for human life, fortitude in the face of danger, selfless devotion to the family and the community, discipline, moderation and integrity as the anchors on which our lives rest.
"It is the day we pay tribute to the great Igbo men and women who fought bravely against British oppressors, and those who even sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Nigerian freedom.
"A day we commemorate those who were maimed, murdered and mutilated in the various massacres in Nigeria from 1952 to date, and those who paid the supreme sacrifice for our continued existence as Ndiigbo during the Nigeria/Biafra war.
"It is also a day we think about our children, grandchildren and the calamities which, if we do not take sufficient and effective care to address, may befall them in the ever changing dynamics of Nigerian politics.
"It is a day for sober reflection and prayer to Almighty God to guide us in everything we do.
"It is refreshing to recall that Ndiigbo entered the 20th century as a proud race.
"Regrettably, we ended it as an endangered culture. Some of us had expected that the beginning of the 21st century would have ignited a sustainable period of self reclamation.
"Unfortunately, we have not been able to begin that process because of our failure to take our destiny in our hands.
Engr. Okoye said the history and the development of Nigeria would have been quite different without the pioneering roles played by many Igbos, in various spheres of human endeavour.
"It is when we look back that we ask what social set up and value system that must have produced such greats, in contrast to what is happening to Ndiigbo today.
"We have the potentials and resources but, unfortunately, we have not been able to harness the tremendous potentials we have in the development of Ala-Igbo.
"This thus creates the agenda for the mobilization of our people to look inwards to harness our inner strengths and resources in order to shape our collective destiny.
Engr Okoye went further to say that in 2007 the following activities were put together to have a robust celebration.
Print media features on the history of Igbos, their culture, ethics and current challenges of existence in Nigeria.
"Special radio feature/commentary on the Nigeria/Biafra war, and the sufferings the Igbo endured.
Special television discussion programme on the Nigeria/Biafra war; what Igbos endured, including their present unflattering predicament.
"Print media features the history of Igbos, their culture, ethics and current challenges of existence in Nigeria.
"Special radio/Television talk shows on restructuring Nigeria.
Workshop on the role of the youth in the development of Igbo society. (Why Igbos abhor prostitution, assassination, armed robbery, 419, ritual killing, human trafficking, cheating, etc as means of livelihood).
Symposium on the challenges of developing Igboland.
Meeting of the ethnic nationalities movement of Nigeria.
Honour for Igbo public officials who have exhibited exemplary leadership qualities and commitment to the development of their fatherland.
March past by Ohanaeze State contingents from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Rivers.
March past of delegates from the indigenous Igbo population of Edo, Kogi, Benue, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States, among many other functions.
By admin
201 views