The director general of the Ahiajoku Centre, Nze Ray Emeana, has revealed that Governor Hope Uzodimma is fully committed to rejuvenating the Ahiajoku Lecture Festival.
Speaking with newsmen in Owerri, Emeana confirmed that preparations are already underway to make the 2025 edition “the all-time greatest” in the festival’s history.
According to Emeana, Governor Uzodimma has demonstrated unwavering dedication to promoting Igbo culture and intellectual discourse through his support for the pan-Igbo event.
The director general emphasised that the governor has already put “adequate measures in place” to ensure the success of this year’s lecture festival, which serves as a significant cultural and academic gathering for the Igbo people.
“The Governor understands the importance of the Ahiajoku Lecture Festival as a cornerstone of Igbo intellectual and cultural heritage.”
He further explained that Uzodimma’s administration recognises the festival’s role in preserving and advancing Igbo traditions while fostering scholarly exchange on matters relevant to Igbo society and its place in the modern world.
According to him, “The annual Ahiajoku Lecture Festival, established in 1979, has historically served as a platform for distinguished academics and cultural leaders to present research and insights on various aspects of Igbo civilization.
” Over the decades, it has become one of the most prestigious intellectual forums in southeastern Nigeria, drawing participants from across the Igbo diaspora and beyond”.
Nze Emeana assured that this year’s event would feature expanded cultural exhibitions and academic sessions to engage a broader audience, including younger generations of Igbo people.
“The announcement has been welcomed by cultural associations and academic institutions across the southeast, many of which have expressed enthusiasm about participating in what promises to be a landmark festival edition,” he said.
Nze Emeana revealed that the Centre is already in touch with Igbo cultural associations in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States of America. All of these associations have indicated strong interest in participating in the event, underscoring its growing international significance.
Under Emeana’s leadership, the Ahiajoku Centre is expected to coordinate extensively with various stakeholders in the coming months to finalise arrangements for the event.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that the 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture Festival not only meets but exceeds expectations, inviting Igbo scholars, cultural enthusiasts, and the general public to anticipate an intellectually stimulating and culturally enriching experience,” he added.
