Governor Alex Otti has charged the Abia Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to spearhead a revival of core Igbo values and lead cultural reorientation across the South-East.
…Says honesty, dignity, and hard work must return as Igbo identity | Pledges support to Abia Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has issued a clarion call to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Igbo people, to spearhead a bold cultural and moral revival across the South-East, starting from Abia State.
The Governor made this charge on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, when he received the executive members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Abia State Chapter, led by their President, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, at the Government House, Umuahia.
During the high-level interaction, Governor Otti expressed deep concern over the erosion of the age-old moral values that once defined the Igbo identity—honesty, hard work, dignity, respect for elders, and resilience—urging the Ohanaeze leadership to take up the mantle of restoring these principles, especially among the youth.
“The Igbo man is known for integrity, resilience, and enterprise,” Otti declared. “We must reclaim those values. Ohanaeze must not be just a gathering of elders—it must become a movement for cultural restoration.”
Governor Otti further emphasized the importance of ownership and sustainability, advising Ohanaeze to avoid dependence on government patronage. Instead, he encouraged the organization to mobilize support from Igbo professionals, business moguls, and the wider diaspora. He cited the Abia State Security Trust Fund, which recently recorded ₦4.1 billion in voluntary contributions, as proof that Ndigbo are ready to invest in their collective future when given the right platform.
As a mark of personal commitment, the Governor pledged to intervene in resolving the organization’s office rent challenge and promised to consider their other needs within the financial limits of the state.
In his response, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, President of the Abia Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, commended Governor Otti for declaring Igbo language a compulsory subject in Abia schools, describing it as a bold step in preserving cultural identity. He also unveiled plans to establish Ohanaeze structures in all 17 local government areas of Abia State before the end of 2025, a move expected to strengthen grassroots cultural engagement.
Okwuonu reaffirmed the group’s commitment to reviving Igbo values and culture through integrity-driven mentorship, cultural education, and youth engagement programmes. He also thanked the Governor for his unflinching support to Ohanaeze Ndigbo during the organization’s recent national leadership transition.
The meeting was also attended by the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzukwu, among other government officials.
As Governor Otti continues to inspire cultural consciousness and responsible leadership in Abia, his administration is fast becoming a template for value-driven governance in the South-East and beyond.
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