The Director General of the Ahajioku Centre in Imo State, Nze Ray Emeana, said he secured the collaboration of the Igbo Cultural Union Stuttgart, Germany, ahead of the 2025 edition of the Ahajioku Lecture Series in Imo State.
Mr Emeana stated that he met up with the Executive Committee of the union at Europaplatz 22, Stuttgart, signalling a growing interest in the lecture series by members of the Igbo diaspora. He reflected on the heyday of the lecture under the leadership of iconic Imo governor Sam Mbakwe and likened the lecture under Uzodinma to it.
“The revival of the Ahiajoku Lecture Series is not just about ceremonies in Owerri. It is about reconnecting Ndigbo globally to their roots and repositioning our culture as a vehicle for development,” he stated.
The strategic meetup between the two parties happened at the invitation of the leadership of the union, bringing together a delegation of high-powered and illustrious sons and daughters of the Igbo community.
The President of the Union, Chief Christian Ike, commented on the resurgence of the lecture series, calling it a turning point in the cultural reawakening of Ndigbo in Europe. The Ahajioku lecture series is hosted in imo state and is named after a prestigious Igbo festival.
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Historical Context
The Ahiajoku Lecture Series, inaugurated in 1979 by Governor Sam Mbakwe in Imo State, is an intellectual and cultural platform for the Igbo people. Named after the Igbo yam festival, it features annual discussions on Igbo culture, history, and contemporary issues, promoting identity and unity.
Esteemed scholars like M.J.C. Echeruo and Chinua Achebe have delivered lectures, addressing topics from education to governance. Despite periods of neglect in various administrations, its revival underscores its role as a symbol of Igbo heritage, encouraging cultural preservation and stirring up much-needed intellectual discourse in the region.
