By CHARLES IWUOHA

Imo Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has reiterated his administration's readiness to bring the Igbo speaking states together.

To this end, he has put all machinery in motion to revive the annual Ahiajoku Lecture to hold before the year 2024 rounded-off.

At a world Press conference in Owerri to herald the intellectual harvest, Director General of the Ahiajoku centre, Hon Raymond Emeana, said that the briefing was informed by the excitement, inquiries and interests shown by Ndigbo both at home and in the diaspora on this year?s Ahiajoku Lecture.

Emeana, maintained that the Ah?aj?k? festival remains one of the most cherished cultural heritages of the Igbo people, disclosing that the essence of the press conference was to provide important updates and to highlight the preparations underway for this year?s Ah?aj?k? festival and lecture series.

According to him, Ahiajoku Lecture Festival provides us the moment and opportunity to celebrate not only our rich traditions and history but also the intellectual and philosophical foundations that have defined us as a people.

"Ahiajoku festival is more than a cultural exhibition ? it is an intellectual harvest, deeply rooted in our ancestral reverence for agriculture, knowledge, and community. It serves as a reminder of who we are and where we are headed collectively.

"Ahiajioku Lecture was instituted in 1979, under the leadership of the first elected governor of the old Imo State, Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe (Ph.D) as a pivotal Pan-Igbo forum for intellectual discourse on the Igbo essence and Igbo heritage.

"The vision behind Ahiajoku Festival was the creation of a pan-Igbo intellectual forum, for the Igbo people of South East Nigeria comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States as well as the South-South states with substantial Igbo populations such as Delta and Rivers States," he stated.

Emeana said that under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, "there has been an unwavering commitment to the revival and promotion of the Ah?aj?k? festival, adding that the governor, in his wisdom and dedication to cultural preservation, has taken decisive steps to ensure that this year?s festival reflects both our glorious past and the necessities of our present times.

He said: "His Excellency believes that the preservation of culture is essential for the development and unity of our people, and we are deeply grateful for his support. This year?s Ah?aj?k? festival and lecture series promises to be extraordinary in both scope and execution.

He further disclosed that the topic for the lecture as suggested by the Advisory Council and ratified by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma is: "The Future of the Igbo Economy amidst Challenges of Insecurity in the South East: A Call for Paradigm Shift."

This topic, he said was meticulously chosen to reflect the critical imperatives of the time among the Igbo people ? their collective well-being, security, governance and socio-economic development.

The Director General believes that the topic is highly relevant and will serve as a basis for stimulating intellectual engagement and dialogue across various strata of society, and charting a course of action for Ndigbo going forward.

He contended that the preparations are in full gear. "We have engaged cultural experts, scholars, and institutions, both locally and internationally, to ensure that this year?s festival is truly world-class.

"Our partnerships will allow for an exchange of ideas that will further enrich the quality of this event. While much work has been done behind the scenes, we are aware that the public eagerly awaits more details.

Emeana assured that all other details concerning the festival ? ranging from the Lecturer, venue, date, colloquium, exhibitions, guest speakers, to cultural performances ? will be formally unveiled in the coming days, as no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that the public is kept informed every step of the way.

He, however, maintained that Ah?aj?k? Lecture festival is not just a celebration; "it is a festival for all lovers of Igbo culture, seekers of knowledge, and harbingers of progress. It provides a platform for critical discourse, deep reflection, and cultural pride.

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