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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has formally declared the last Saturday of every January as Igbo Adoration and Thanksgiving Day, setting aside the date as an annual moment of collective gratitude and spiritual reflection for the Igbo nation.
The decision was taken at the organisation’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on 20 January 2026, following an appeal by the Igbo College of Bishops, which was represented at the meeting by Archbishop David Onuoha of the Owerri Anglican Province and Archbishop Sosthenes Eze of the Enugu Anglican Province, among other clerics.
The bishops urged a revision of an earlier resolution adopted by the Imeobi Ohanaeze meeting held on 23 December in Enugu, which had proposed the last Sunday of January for the observance. They argued that, for spiritual and symbolic reasons, Saturday was more appropriate.
Consequently, the NEC resolved that the celebration be held on the last Saturday of every January, with the Imeobi to be formally notified at its next meeting.
In his remarks, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, called on Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora to embrace the significance of the new spiritual observance.
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He said: “This symbolic day is not just another date on our calendar. It is a sacred moment of collective gratitude to Almighty God for His enduring mercies and unfailing grace upon the Igbo nation, in spite of the many trials, tribulations and challenges we have encountered over the decades. It is a day for sober reflection, heartfelt thanksgiving, and renewed commitment to our faith, our values, and our shared destiny as a people.”
According to Ohanaeze, all churches in Igbo land are requested to observe the maiden edition of the event on Saturday, January 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with prayers, adoration, and thanksgiving dedicated to God.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze said the new date reflects the spiritual appeal of church leaders and the organisation’s desire to make the celebration more inclusive and symbolically meaningful.
The statement added: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide calls on all Igbo people, wherever they may be, to participate wholeheartedly in making this day a unifying spiritual landmark for the Igbo nation. It is our collective responsibility to uphold this solemn observance as a symbol of unity, gratitude, faith, and hope for a greater tomorrow.”
Ohanaeze expressed confidence that the annual Igbo Adoration and Thanksgiving Day would strengthen the spiritual consciousness of the people and foster unity among Igbos across Nigeria and the Diaspora.
