Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has urged Ndigbo to move beyond resolutions and reports and translate the Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development into concrete action and measurable results.
Moghalu made the call on Monday, September 28, 2026, while delivering the keynote address virtually at a high-level lecture and dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to mark the 2026 Igbo Day celebration in Umuahia, Abia State.
In a statement issued on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the organisation’s Global Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, said the lecture, titled “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo,” was chaired by Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, CON, while Moghalu, who chaired the committee that produced the Charter, delivered the keynote address.
According to Chukwu, Moghalu challenged Ndigbo to move from declarations to implementation, measurable outcomes and collective action, stressing that the Charter should serve as a practical framework for the development of Ala Igbo.
Moghalu identified the preservation of the Igbo language, digital economy, diaspora engagement, security, human-capital development and productive investment as key areas requiring urgent attention.
He also stressed that the Charter must remain above partisan politics and should be treated as a collective development framework capable of guiding efforts to advance Ala Igbo.
The lecture was followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Friday Ohuche, Princess Gloria Akobundu, Ph.D., Prof. Ken Ife, Dr. Joe Abah, Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe, Ihunwo Obi Wali and Dr. Nkem Femi James, who examined possible pathways for implementing the Charter.
Chukwu quoted the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, as saying the Charter was designed to harness the enormous human, intellectual and entrepreneurial resources of Ndigbo for collective development.
The host Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, said Abia was transitioning from traditional commerce towards manufacturing, technology and digital enterprise, urging Ndigbo to embrace opportunities created by the digital economy.
Chukwu said the event attracted Governor Alex Chioma Otti; Senator Azuta-Mbata; Emeka Sibeudu; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu; Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, SAN; Bishop Athan Azubuike; Prof. Ossy Nwebo; former First Lady of Nigeria, Prof. Uche Azikiwe; Iyom Josephine Anehih; traditional rulers; members of the National Assembly; academics; business leaders; and representatives of Ndigbo from Nigeria and the diaspora.
The lecture and dinner set the intellectual tone for the 2026 Igbo Day celebration, with participants calling for greater unity, strategic organisation and the conversion of the Igbo Charter from ideas into practical action and measurable development outcomes.
