Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, says its earlier scheduled Igbo Day celebration has been canceled.
The Chief Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze disclosed this in a statement signed by Comrade Temple Chika, its National Publicity Secretary.
He said the event would now be replaced with “IGBO DAY OF MOURNING”, with the theme “Ozoemena”.
DAILY POST reports that Igbo Day is usually celebrated annually on 29th September.
But Ohanaeze says this year’s edition would not hold.
The statement by Ibeh-led Ohanaeze read, “this is to inform all Igbos both home and in diaspora about the cancellation of 2021 IGBO DAY slated previously to hold in Enugu and Awka, Anambra State, respectively, on 29th September 2021.
“We urge Ndigbo to observe the WORLD IGBO DAY OF MORNING in remembrance of all IGBO MARTYRS both at home and diaspora, whose lives were cut short at their prime age during security operations, herdsmen, Obigbo/ Orlu massacres, killings in the North by Boko Haram and banditry. The mood of Ndigbo nowadays depicts mourning both traditionally and religiously.
“Consequently, there will be no fanfare, no jubilation, and acrobatic cultural displays as obtained from the annual IGBO DAY CELEBRATIONS in the past few years.”
It said in the statement that “there are attempts to commit ethnic cleansing in the name of fighting against the IPOB.
“The ongoing secret killings across Igboland must stop. God will restore peace and security across Igboland as we openly mourn.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo demands the unconditional release of bodies from mortuaries (especially in Imo State) of Igbos wrongly killed as suspected IPOB members to their various families for burials.”
