By Ebele Ndudi
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has
urged Ndigbo to put their shared interests ahead of personal and political
differences, saying greater unity is needed to build a stronger and more
prosperous future for the Igbo people.
Otti spoke on Tuesday in Umuahia during the 2026 World Igbo
Day celebration, where he said disagreement should not prevent people from
working towards common goals. He stressed that unity does not require everyone
to hold the same views.
The governor said Igbo society had inherited important
qualities from previous generations, including courage, enterprise, resilience
and strong community values. He urged the people to preserve those qualities
while finding practical ways to work together despite differences.
He also called for peace, dialogue, understanding and
cooperation, warning against allowing personal interests or disagreements to
undermine the wider aspirations of the people. Otti said decisions taken today
should also consider their impact on future generations.
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John
Azuta-Mbata, said the Igbo must take a serious look at the future they want and
work towards achieving it through greater cooperation.
Azuta-Mbata said Ndigbo had made major contributions to
business, industry, science, medicine, education and technology, but needed
stronger collective action to translate individual achievements into wider
progress.
He said the people must deliberately move together if they
were to secure a stronger position in Nigeria and beyond, while encouraging
younger Igbos to see themselves as custodians of their heritage and
participants in shaping the future.
The celebration also featured a wreath-laying ceremony at
the Aguiyi-Ironsi Cenotaph in honour of fallen Igbo heroes and heroines.
Azuta-Mbata joined Otti and other dignitaries at the ceremony, which formed
part of activities marking the event.
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