Civil War Memories, Renewed Faith As Igbo Observe Thanksgiving Day
A Solemn Gathering in Enugu
FIFTY-SIX years after the end of the Nigerian civil war, the Igbo nation on Saturday gathered in solemn thanksgiving to God for survival, resilience and preservation, as leaders and faithful converged on the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Enugu for the maiden Igbo Day of Adoration and Thanksgiving.
The spiritual event, which attracted prominent Igbo leaders, clerics and worshippers from across the South-East and the diaspora, marked the formal inauguration of an annual observance scheduled to hold on the last Saturday of January each year.
Organisers described the initiative as a faith-based response to the collective historical experience of the Igbo people, particularly the trauma and losses suffered during the 1967–1970 civil war.
Thanksgiving for Survival and Identity
Presiding over the Holy Mass, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Valentine Onaga, urged the Igbo people to sustain prayers for peace, unity and development across Igboland and Nigeria at large.
The Bishop, who was represented by Rev. Fr. Michael Amaobi Ogbu, described the survival of the Igbo people after the devastation of the civil war as a testament to divine faithfulness.
Drawing inspiration from the biblical account of the ten lepers, he emphasised the importance of gratitude, noting that thanksgiving is central to spiritual growth and continued blessings.
“The Igbo nation is blessed with a strong identity rooted in faith, resilience and communal values,” he said. “This gathering is not only an expression of gratitude but also a solemn appeal for God’s continued guidance and protection over Ndigbo.”
Origins of the Initiative
Explaining the origins of the Igbo Day of Adoration and Thanksgiving, the Deputy National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prince Okechukwu Nwadinaobi, said the initiative was inspired by Igbo religious leaders.
According to him, the idea emerged from consultations among Igbo Archbishops and Bishops who believed there was a need for a collective spiritual reflection on the Igbo journey since the civil war.
“They saw the need for a dedicated day to thank God for His goodness, mercy and preservation of the Igbo people over the years,” Nwadinaobi said.
A Symbolic Spiritual Exercise
Also speaking at the event, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, described the gathering as a deeply symbolic moment in the spiritual life of Ndi Igbo.
He said the thanksgiving was both a remembrance of the past and a reaffirmation of faith in the future.
“This is a moment of praise to God for His kindness, protection and guidance,” Chukwu said. “It reminds us that despite the pains of history, Ndi Igbo remain a people sustained by faith and hope.”
Looking to the Future
Participants at the event, including community leaders and members of the Igbo diaspora, commended the initiative, saying it would help strengthen unity and communal bonds across Igbo communities, states and denominations.
Many described the annual observance as a declaration of gratitude and trust in God, expressing hope that it would foster reconciliation, renewed purpose and collective progress for future generations.
