After years of postponements, the Bishop of the Nsukka Catholic Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, will deliver the 2025 annual Ahiajoku Lecture on September 26 at Ahiajoku Convention Centre, Owerri, Imo State.

The lecture series, introduced by the then administration of the late Chief Sam Mbakwe in 1979, is organised by about seven Igbo-speaking states in the country (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Rivers).

Announcing both the guest lecturer and inaugurating the festival planning committee, on Friday, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, represented by his deputy, Dr. Chinyere Ekomaru, disclosed that the choice of the Professor of Philosophy/Metaphysics cum cleric, was a product of a thorough search, adding that this year’s lecture is titled, ‘The Future of Igbo Economy Amidst the Challenges of Insecurity in the Southeast: A Call for Paradigm Shift.’

He noted that the revival of the intellectual harvest, “demonstrates profound love for Igbo civilisation and its advancement.”

He paid tribute to Mbakwe for his foresight, commending some past lecturers such as Prof. Michael Echeruo; the late Prof. Adiele Afigbo; the late Prof. Chinua Achebe; the late Prof. Donatus Nwoga; Prof. Bede Okigbo; Prof. Barth Nnaji, among others.

He further said that the planning committee members are Igbo personalities drawn from the academia, the media, cultural and governmental circle.

The Chairman of the Committee is Chief Garry Igariwey; his Deputy is Stanley Amuchie, while other members of the committee include the Managing Director of The Sun newspapers, Onuoha Ukeh; the immediate past President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo; an academic, Prof. Jerome Okonkwo, Paddy Obinna, and representatives of the governments of the seven Igbo-speaking states, among others.

In their speeches, the Director-General of the Ahiajoku Convention Centre, Nze Ray Emeana, and the chairman of the year 2025 planning committee, Igariwey, represented by his deputy, Amuchie, promised a rewarding event.