Obi Achebe Lecture Ends With Call For Restructuring For True Federalism 

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka on Wednesday, 10th September, 2025 held the second annual public lecture of His Royal Majesty Obi Nnaemeka Achebe.

The second annual public lecture with the theme, “Restructuring for True Federalism: A challenge to Igbo Leadership,” held at the University Auditorium was aimed at highlighting the aspirations of Igbo Leadership thereby defining the Igbo identity and securing the future of Ndi Igbo within the nation’s political framework.

Declaring the event open, the Chairman of the occasion and President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata described true federalism as a system of government where power is constitutionally divided and shared between a central national government and constituent units with each level retaining independent spheres of authority and autonomy.

Senator Azuta-Mbata informed that the Igbo nation has done well in all areas of human endeavour but has not been able to find its way in the politics of Nigeria at the centre. The President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo stated that there is a need for restructuring to reflect true federalism as the Igbos have what it takes to impact meaningfully in Nigerian democracy and the political ecosystem.

In his welcome address, UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi stated that the World Centre for Igbo Repository was created by the University as a central hub, physical and hybrid, where data, information and other resources on the Igbo race are stored, managed and made accessible to encourage research and dissemination of information on the Igbo people at home and in diaspora through various channels such as lectures, festivals and workshops.

Prof. Arinze-Umobi who was represented by Prof. Harry Obi-Nwosu described the theme of the annual lecture as germane as Igbo communities shared fundamentally the same culture manifesting a common language through with many dialects, same calendar of a four-day week of four-market days, Republican system of governance and classification of the males in Igbo community into age grades. The Acting VC affirmed that igboness lies in the Igbo character, Igbo matrix of values impelling hardwork, grim determination, perseverance and adventurism.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Former Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu pointed out that the annual lecture on Igbo repository is founded on a core philosophical commitment to exploring and celebrating ‘Igboness’ as well as a forum for the preservation and advancement of igbo knowledge, fostering deeper understanding of Igbo’s shared heritage.

Prof. Onu noted that the theme of the lecture is a call to introspection, a demand for strategic thinking, a profound challenge to the collective leadership of Ndigbo and addressing aspirations of Igbo Leadership in defining the Igbo identity and securing the collective future of Ndi Igbo within a larger political framework, thereby fulfilling the mission to articulate what distinguishes and connects the Igbos as a nation.

In his lecture on the theme, the guest speaker, Prof. Obasi Igwe disclosed that for a new renaissance to happen, the Igbo race must adopt a new attitude to survive as a tribe that is marginalized. Prof. Obasi said that restructuring has been there in various governments but the message of restructuring should be about nation building not centered on ethnicity that fuels tribalism.

Prof. Igwe noted that Ndigbo seeks a restructuring originally prepared by the Igbo race by borrowing a leaf from the case of South Africa where apartheid was abolished to foster a lasting peace and coexistence between white and blacks in South Africa.

The scholar implored the current administration to adopt true federalism by reforming the country’s federal system to address issues of political imbalance, economic marginalization, corruption and ethnic dominance in order to achieve better governance, peace and equitable distribution of power and resources.

On his part, the celebrant and Traditional Ruler of Onitsha Kingdom, HRM Igwe Obi Nnaemeka Achebe informed that restructuring and true federalism in Nigeria is centered on moving away from the current centralized structure aimed at creating a system of coordinating and independent federation unit.

HRM Achebe stated that arguments on restructuring is centered on addressing disunity, promoting development and empowering local communities with a view to decentralization of power, regional autonomy, ethnic harmony and national unity.

Others who made their remarks during the second annual public lecture were the Chairman and Pro-chancellor, UNIZIK Governing Council, Barr. Monsur Olugbenga Kukoyi; Royal Father of the Day and Traditional Ruler of Omor Community, HRH Igwe Dr. Oranu Chidume; Executive Governor of Enugu State, H.E. Dr. Peter Mbah represented by the Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Deacon Okey Ogbodo and ADC Gubernatorial Aspirant, Hon. John Nwosu.

Highpoints of the occasion was the book presentation and launching performed by Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo with support by various dignitaries at the colourful event.