On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, urged the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, to reduce reliance on government patronage and instead engage the wider Igbo community to foster collective ownership and ensure the organization’s sustainability. Speaking during a meeting with the Abia State chapter’s executive committee in his office, Governor Otti emphasized that encouraging contributions from all Igbo people would create a sense of belonging and strengthen the organization’s survival, citing the recent ₦4.1 billion raised for the state’s security trust fund as an example of successful community-driven funding. He pledged to consider the organization’s requests, including office rent payments, within the context of the state’s competing needs, while challenging its leaders to restore traditional Igbo values such as honesty, hard work, and respect for elders, which he noted have waned amid rising crime and insecurity.
Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Abia State Chapter, praised Governor Otti for making the Igbo language a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools, highlighting the organization’s efforts to promote Igbo cultural heritage. He outlined plans to establish Ohanaeze structures in all local government areas of Abia by year-end and to encourage Igbo language use among children and families. Dr. Okwuonu stressed their mission to instill values of hard work, sincerity, and dignity in younger generations through partnerships with Igbo stakeholders. He also acknowledged the governor’s support during the recent election of Ohanaeze’s national leadership and appealed for assistance with challenges, including office rent, to sustain their operations.
Leave a Reply