The Igbo Day celebration which holds September 29 of every year to remember the lives of over 30,000 Igbos who were massacred in the Northern parts of Nigeria on September 29, 1966 will be observed this year in all igbo communities of the world.

The date which has not only been turned to a day of remembrance for Ndigbo, but has also been set aside to reflect on Igbo history, reappraise the Igbo contemporary challenges; and renew our commitment to Igbo unity and common destiny.

The 2021 edition of the Igbo Day Celebration shall begin on Sunday, September 26 with prayers in all the Churches in Igbo land, and on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, all Igbos both at home and in the Diaspora are requested to commit to God the souls of our kith and kin who lost their lives in the pogrom of September 29, 1966, and in subsequent struggles for unity, peace, equity and justice in Nigeria.

In a Press Statement made available to journalists by Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and captioned “Observing the 2021 Igbo Day” and signed by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman, 2021 Igbo Day Celebration, the Council of South East Traditional Rulers advised that the 2021 Igbo Day celebration be sublimed more to spiritual activities than an elaborate cultural celebration.

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In his statement, Ogbonnia said that “Sequel to the detailed briefing received from the Planning Committee for 2021 Igbo Day Celebration, the Igwes and Ndiezes of Igboland appreciated the elaborate plans of the leadership and people of Igbo nation to honour our history, collective memories and aspirations on 29th September 2021. After mature consultation and sober reflections on the political, spiritual and psychological needs of the Igbo nation, the Royal Fathers strongly advised that the nature of activities suitable for this moment in time is more of prayers than vibrant celebrations.

“This will enable all Ndigbo to participate and unite in the much needed cleansing and spiritual rejuvenation of Igbo land, which are necessary preludes to the political and economic development; and the social cohesion that we all desire”.

He further appealed to Ndigbo to adhere to the wisdom of the royal fathers in the celebration of the Igbo Day by putting Ndigbo and Ala-Igbo in during the Sunday Church Services on 26th September and to offer prayers Nigeria and Igbo land.

“On that Wednesday 29th September, 2021 we shall all gather together to commit to God, the souls of our kith and kin lost on September 29th, 1966, and in subsequent struggles for unity, peace, equity and justice in Nigeria”, Ogbonnia concluded.