FESTAC TOWN HOSTS THE LARGEST GATHERING OF THE IGBO COMMUNITY IN LAGOS; AS OHANAEZE HOLDS SEPTEMBER GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Chief Leo Okafor, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos ( centre), Comrade Mike Orji, Secretary ( 2nd Left), and others.

By Tony Udemba

For several hours, the FHA Playground along 23 Road, Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, became a colourful theatre of Igbo culture, community bonding and celebration as thousands of members of Ndigbo resident in Lagos converged for the September edition of the monthly General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Chapter.

Dressed in colourful traditional attires, adorned with beads, caps, wrappers and other cultural accessories, the gathering of men, women, traditional rulers, community leaders, businessmen and women and political stakeholders transformed the usually quiet playground into a bustling centre of Igbo cultural expression.

The September 26, 2026 assembly, which was jointly hosted by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo chapters in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Oriade Local Council Development Area, was the fourth edition of the organisation’s monthly General Assembly under its current rotational hosting arrangement.

The initiative, introduced by the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos under High Chief Leonard Okafor (AkA Oba Ojoto), is designed to move the organisation’s activities beyond a central location and take its programmes directly to Igbo communities across Lagos.

Organisers estimated that more than 2,000 members and guests attended the gathering, with participants drawn from communities across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State.

The gathering provided a rare opportunity for members who ordinarily interact within their respective communities to meet, exchange ideas, and renew old relationships.

Traditional rulers and Ndiezes, religious leaders, community leaders, leaders of Igbo Towns’ Unions, market leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and other prominent members of the community were among those in attendance.

The assembly commenced with prayers, setting the tone for a day of cultural celebration and community interaction.

The traditional breaking of the kola nut by Onyendu Chukwu Akalika, alongside other royal fathers, followed the opening prayers and further underscored the cultural character of the gathering.

Soon after, the venue became a hive of activities.

Groups of men and women exchanged pleasantries, while others seized the opportunity to reconnect with friends and associates from different parts of Lagos.

Against the backdrop of music and colourful traditional dressing, the gathering presented a vivid picture of the cultural diversity and social strength of Ndigbo in Lagos.

Addressing the assembly, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Chapter, High Chief Leonard Okafor, expressed appreciation to members for what he described as an impressive show of commitment to the organisation.

Okafor briefed the gathering on developments within the organisation and urged members to remain committed to its programmes and activities.

He also appealed to those involved in disagreements and factional activities in the name of Ohanaeze Lagos to sheathe their swords and return to the fold, saying, ” we all seated here are the only legitimate Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State. Our leadership was duly elected, and therefore, nobody can subvert the mandate freely given to us by the majority of members who voted our leadership into office “.

According to him, the overriding objective of his administration remains the unity, welfare, and protection of the interests of Ndigbo living and working in Lagos.

He noted that,

“one thing very clear is that as long as you’re an Igbo man or woman living and working in Lagos, you’re naturally a member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.”

Okafor stated that the organisation would not allow internal disagreements to distract it from pursuing programmes designed to improve the welfare and collective interests of its members.

One of the major announcements at the assembly was the commencement of a life insurance scheme for members.

Okafor disclosed that the necessary arrangements had been concluded by the organisation’s legal team and that members could subscribe to the scheme at an annual premium of N6,000.

He urged members to participate in the initiative, stressing that the scheme was part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen the welfare component of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.

The announcement generated considerable interest among participants, particularly against the backdrop of increasing calls for stronger welfare structures within community organisations.

Another major attraction of the assembly was the recognition bestowed on Okafor by representatives of the Yoruba Study Group.

The group presented him with the Golden Leadership Excellence Award and the Distinguished Entrepreneur and Personality Award for 2025/2026.

In a citation presented during the ceremony, the group highlighted what it described as Okafor’s contributions to socio-economic and infrastructural development, including human capital development.

The presentation was greeted with applause from members and guests.

For a gathering that began as a formal community assembly, the award presentation added another dimension to the day’s activities.

The assembly attracted several prominent figures in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos and the wider Igbo community.

Among them were High Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto), President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Chapter; Nze Edwin Egboka (Eze Eziokwu), Deputy President; Comrade Mike Orji, Secretary; Onyendu Okpotemba Dimgba of Ikeja; Onyendu Akalika of Oriade; and Chief Camilius Amajuoyi, President-General of Alaba International Market.

Several other royal fathers, community leaders, chieftains, captains of industry and distinguished guests also attended the event.

Similarly, politics also found its way into the gathering, as political actors from different parties attended and made presentations.

Among them were Hon. Zubby Anazodo, Amuwo Odofin ADC candidate for the House of Representatives; Hon. ThankGod Ibeh, Amuwo Odofin APGA candidate for the House of Representatives; and Hon. Ola Moses, Amuwo Odofin APC candidate for the House of Representatives.

The Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Hon Lanre Sanusi, and his deputy, Hon Maureen Ashara, were also present, alongside other political stakeholders.

The presence of politicians from different political platforms reflected the broad social and political reach of the gathering.

After the formal proceedings, the venue became a centre of music, entertainment and social interaction.

Members and guests were treated to refreshments while music filled the air. Groups gathered in different sections of the venue, exchanging stories, discussing community affairs and enjoying the opportunity to meet fellow Ndigbo from other parts of Lagos.

As the sun gradually descended, the crowd remained lively.

For the organisers and participants, the September General Assembly represented more than a routine monthly meeting.

It was a celebration of identity, culture, community and fellowship;and another demonstration of the rotational approach adopted by the Chief Leonard Okafor-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos leadership to bring the organisation’s activities closer to its members.

In all, it was unarguably a memorable day, as Festac Town played host to the largest gathering of the Igbo community in Lagos State.