Gov. Alex Otti Urges Ohanaeze to Restore Igbo Values, Calls for Collective Action on Cultural Revival

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has called on the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to take urgent steps toward restoring the cherished moral and cultural values that once defined the Igbo people. He made this call on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, while receiving executive members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Abia State Chapter, led by its President, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, at the Government House, Umuahia.

Governor Otti emphasized that values like hard work, dignity, truthfulness, resilience, and respect for elders were once the cornerstone of Igbo society and must be revived.

“Our responsibility is to take us back to those good old days,” the Governor said. “Where people, even in poverty, remained dignified and proud. There were things you couldn’t associate the Igbo with. We are not thieves. Our people are hardworking. All they need is an enabling environment, not handouts.”

Otti lamented the erosion of cultural identity, language, and values, stating that this disconnect contributes to social problems like crime and insecurity. He stressed that the Igbo must not lose their essence in the race for modernity.

He urged Ohanaeze to design programmes and embark on projects that inspire collective participation and ownership among Igbos across the world, warning that relying solely on government support is not sustainable.

“Reach out to our people to support your vision. If they feel a sense of ownership, they’ll contribute. Take the example of the recent fundraising for the Abia State Security Trust Fund. We raised N4.1 billion from private citizens who believed in the cause,” the Governor noted.

Dr. Otti also pledged to support the organization in practical terms, including personally offsetting their outstanding office rent, and promised to look into their other requests while balancing them against the state’s broader responsibilities.

In his remarks, the President of the Abia chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, thanked the Governor for his leadership and commitment to cultural preservation. He commended Otti for making the Igbo language compulsory in Abia’s primary and secondary school curriculum, describing it as a bold step in safeguarding the heritage of the Ndigbo.

Dr. Okwuonu said Ohanaeze is currently working with various stakeholders to reposition the Igbo narrative, stressing the importance of truth, hard work, and integrity among young Igbos. He also revealed plans to establish Ohanaeze structures across all 17 LGAs in Abia before the year ends and appealed for government assistance to ease logistical challenges.

“We believe in what you are doing and we’re confident you’ll do more. You’ve already shown that your leadership is one that listens and acts,” Dr. Okwuonu added.

Governor Otti was joined at the meeting by senior government officials including the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, and the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzukwu.

The meeting ended with mutual commitments to work together to preserve and promote Igbo values, culture, and unity.