By Doris Israel Ijeoma

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has declared Wednesday, September 29 as “IGBO DAY OF MOURNING”.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the national publicity and secretary of the
apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Temple Chika.

OpenLife reports that every 29th of September is usually celebrated as Igbo Day, but the group said the celebrations have been cancelled and replaced “IGBO DAY OF MOURNING”, with the theme “Ozoemena”, which means “may death never happen again”.

“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.

Governor Fayemi Opens Up On Tinubu’s Health Condition, Surgery And 2023 Presidency

“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.”

“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,” the statement read.