The Governor of the State of North Carolina, Josh Stein, has officially proclaimed June 14, 2025, as “Igbo Day” across the state.
This, according to a proclamation on the State Government’s official website, is a result of the recognition of cultural diversity.
The proclamation, titled “Igbo Day 2025”, celebrates the enduring presence, vibrant culture, and impactful contributions of the Igbo people—an ethnic group originating from Nigeria—who have made North Carolina their home for decades.
In the proclamation, Stein highlighted the long-standing history and integration of the Igbo community in the state.
“Whereas, there are thousands of Igbo people in North Carolina, some of whom have lived here for over fifty years;
Whereas, the Igbos are committed to preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage from Nigeria. Igbos in North Carolina are encouraged to connect, celebrate, and support one another, fostering a strong sense of unity, bonding, and belonging;
Whereas, the Igbo community aspires to create an environment where their members thrive, traditions flourish, and their contributions to society are recognised and valued.
Through their collective efforts, the Igbo community aims to inspire future generations to embrace their identity and to foster a strong sense of belonging and purpose within North Carolina”, the proclamation partly read.
The proclamation also acknowledged organised efforts to promote cultural awareness, particularly through the Igbo Day Festival Organisation, a nonprofit founded in 2022.
Whereas, in 2022, the Igbo North Carolinians established the nonprofit Igbo Day Festival Organization to unite and educate Igbo families and North Carolinians about Igbo culture, art, music, and traditional values; the first Igbo Day Festival was held on July 10, 2022;
Whereas, their vision is to be a thriving community that not only honours and promotes the rich heritage of the Igbo people of Nigeria in North Carolina, but also serves as a beacon of unity, support, and cultural pride”, it added.
Stein praised the Igbo community for their wide-ranging contributions across many sectors, noting their involvement in public service, entrepreneurship, health care, and civic engagement:
Whereas, Igbos in North Carolina are involved in many charitable causes and have contributed to the economy; they have participated in elections and excel in various careers, including those working for the State of North Carolina and the federal government.
They thrive in fields such as education, entrepreneurship, law, medicine—including roles as doctors, nurses, pharmacists—information technology, and art;
Whereas, they have volunteered in local schools, adopted a highway in North Carolina to aid cleaning efforts, supported women’s shelters and hospitals, organized food pantry drives, and participated in cultural performances at local festivals;
Whereas, Igbos in North Carolina are dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of Igbo culture by creating cultural awareness for future generations”, the proclamation continued.
Concluding the proclamation, Stein formally set aside June 14, 2025, for the celebration of Igbo heritage, urging all citizens of North Carolina to take part in the observance.
Now, therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2025, as “IGBO DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-first day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-five and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth”, the proclamation concluded.
