On Monday, 29th September 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will journey eastward to Owerri, the beating heart of the Igbo nation. If Kaduna reinforced his northern support base and Ibadan reaffirmed his Yoruba roots, then Owerri embodies his embrace of the Igbo — a people of unmatched resilience, intellect, and industry.

Guided by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, the President will launch a book in his honour and reassure Ndigbo of their central place in his vision for Nigeria’s future.

Owerri: The Pulse of Igbo Identity

Owerri is no ordinary city. Known as the “Eastern Heartland,” it is both political capital and cultural epicentre of the Igbo. Its landmarks — Assumpta Cathedral, a towering spiritual anchor; and Freedom Square, the civic heartbeat of the people — capture its dual heritage of faith and democracy.

History has also left its imprint. During the Nigerian Civil War, Owerri was the last capital of Biafra. Out of that crucible of loss and endurance, the city emerged determined never to surrender its spirit. Today, its vibrant economy and bustling streets are proof of the Igbo will to rebuild and flourish.

Owerri and Imo State have produced titans whose names still echo nationally: Raymond Njoku, nationalist statesman; K.O. Mbadiwe, the “man of timber and caliber”; Sam Mbakwe, the “weeping governor”; Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, philanthropist; Arthur Nzeribe, political tactician; and Onyeka Onwenu, Africa’s songbird. From football icon Emmanuel Amunike to waves of creative talent, Owerri continues to gift Nigeria excellence.

A City of Culture and Innovation

Owerri thrives as a hub of learning, arts, and culture. Its theatres, highlife rhythms, and festivals sustain Igbo performance traditions while embracing modern creativity.

Governor Uzodimma has added a new layer to this dynamism through his SkillUpImo programme, training more than 40,000 youths in digital skills, transforming them into creators of opportunity. This innovative drive has earned him recognition as a leader preparing his people for the digital age.

Tinubu and the Igbo: A History of Respect

For President Tinubu, Owerri is familiar terrain. As Governor of Lagos, he appointed Igbo professionals to key positions, laying a foundation of inclusivity. Today, his administration is delivering major projects in the South East: completion of the Second Niger Bridge, rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, upgrades of federal roads, and industrial corridors that promise jobs and prosperity.

These projects, far from symbolic, underline a genuine commitment to rooting Igbo aspirations within Nigeria’s shared destiny.

Uzodimma as Guide and Host

Governor Hope Uzodimma has transformed Imo’s landscape with infrastructure renewal, free trade initiatives, and agricultural reforms. The Orashi Free Trade Zone, which has drawn more than seven oil and gas companies, stands as a testament to his economic foresight.

Through resilience, pragmatism, and people-centered policies, Uzodimma has positioned Imo as a bridge between Igbo aspirations and Nigeria’s national journey.

The Significance of Owerri

Owerri is more than a city; it is memory and meaning. It recalls the tears of war but thrives today as a hub of education, culture, and enterprise. President Tinubu’s visit underscores a message: the Igbo are not at the margins of Nigeria’s destiny but at its very center.

If Kaduna symbolized the northern nerve of decision-making, and Ibadan the Yoruba heritage of ascendancy, then Owerri represents the Igbo crucible — valor, faith, resilience, and rebirth.

Beneath the spires of Assumpta Cathedral, in the energy of Freedom Square, and through the rhythm of Owerri’s creative heartbeat, the President will not only launch a book but also reaffirm his pact with the Igbo — as kith, kin, and indispensable partners in building a stronger, united Nigeria.