Imo govt picks new date for 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture

The Imo Government has officially announced the rescheduling of the prestigious 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture Festival, to Nov. 27 to Nov. 28, moving the celebration to its traditional November timeframe.

This is contained in a release by Nze Ray Emeana, the Special Adviser to Gov. Hope Uzodinma on Ahiajoku Centre and Director-General of the Centre, and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Tuesday.

Emeana, who is Secretary of the 2025 Ahiajoku Planning Committee, said that the 45th edition of the cultural and intellectual festival would commence with a colloquium on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 (Afor day in the Igbo calendar), at the Ahiajoku Convention Centre in Owerri, the Imo capital.

 This would be followed by the main lecture on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 (Nkwo day) at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Conference Centre, also in Owerri.

He said that the highlight of the 2025 festival would be the Ahiajoku lecture delivered by His Lordship, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese.

Bishop Onah will speak on the timely and thought-provoking topic: “The Future of Igbo Economy Amidst the Challenges of Insecurity: A Call for Paradigm Shift,” addressing critical contemporary issues facing the Igbo community.

He said that the change in date represents a return to the festival’s historical roots, as the Ahiajoku Lecture was inaugurated and traditionally celebrated during the last week of November.

This restoration is expected to strengthen the event’s legacy as the foremost platform for Igbo intellectual, cultural, and economic renaissance, connecting the celebration more closely with its original cultural significance.

“Governor Hope Uzodinma, CON, GSSRS, has approved the new dates as part of an ongoing renaissance and rebranding initiative for the celebrated cultural event.

“The decision honours the founding vision established by the late Governor Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe and the founding fathers of the Ahiajoku Lecture Series,” Emeana said.

He further said that the organisers remained committed to maintaining the high standards expected of the landmark cultural celebration.

He assured all invitees that venue arrangements and other earlier preparations would remain unchanged.

“We take pride in hosting Ndi Igbo (Igbo people) and friends of Igbo heritage from across the world at this significant edition of the cultural and intellectual festival,” he said.