By Ikenna Daniel
Enugu – The best way of promoting Igbo language and culture was by supporting and funding the Igbo language industry. That was the position of the organizers of an event in commemoration of the 2024 International Mother Language Day held on Wednesday at Centre For Memories, Enugu as a collaboration between the Centre and Igbo Efula, an NGO for the promotion of Igbo language and culture.
Whlle delivering a welcome address on behalf of the organizers, Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Ọjị, Executive Director, Igbo Efula stressed the need for the Government and other stakeholders to support the business of all those who earned a living from the Igbo language industry such as Igbo teachers, Igbo journalists, publishers, Igbo Nollywood practicioners, etc., as that was the best way of promoting the language.
Oji said that it had become critical, as mothers and women spend more time with children at home, adding that they should focus on speaking Igbo language and ensure that children clearly understood the language from the cradle.
According to him, “a language is a living thing and only dies when it is no longer being used effectively, especially for productive, commercial purposes. If these people are supported financially, they shall be in a better position to give their best towards the sustenance and promotion of Igbo language”
This year’s theme, “Multilingual Education – A Pillar of Learning and Intergenerational Learning,” underscored the vital role of multilingual education in fostering intergenerational learning and preserving native languages.
The event served as a platform to advocate for inclusive education, advocating for the commencement of education in the learner’s mother tongue, thus bridging the gap between home and school and facilitating more effective learning.
Equally, Mazi Iheanyi Igboko, Executive Director, Centre for Memories had this to say: “We marked this special day to emphasise the importance of preserving and promoting Asusu Igbo (Igbo language) in a very special way.
“It was heartening to see Ndigbo, especially students, come together to celebrate Igbo language and culture, reaffirming our commitment to its preservation”.
In his speech, the chairman of the occasion, HRM Igwe Ambassador L.O.C. Agubuzu (Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema-Olo & Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers) commended the organizers for consistently promoting Igbo language and culture and pledged the support of South East Traditional Rulers towards the promotion and propagation of Igbo language and culture.
“I commend the organizers -Igbo Efula and Centre for Memories for consistently promoting Igbo language and culture. The royal father urged Government, at all levels and public spirited individuals and corporate entities to support them in their noteworthy cause which required funding and the active collaboration of all stakeholders.
Igwe Agubuzu also enjoined Igbo parents, especially mothers to regard as a sacred trust, their duty of imparting Igbo – their mother language to their children, in line with the theme of this year’s International Mother Language Day.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke commended the organizers and all other persons working for the promotion of Igbo language. She also said that her ministry would go ahead to print Igbo calendars to also promote Igbo language and tradition.
“A calendar that will have the four market days and the normal seven range of four market days that make-up the 28 days in Igbo calendar. “It will be made of more informative and educational pictures and write-ups on Igbo language and culture for our children to learn,” she said. The commissioner said that her ministry would also use other platforms and programmes within its limited resources to keep promoting Igbo language and culture within social gatherings and public places.
“I must commend the organizers of this event as well as everyone working hard to promote Igbo language, culture and tradition within the state,” she added.
In a goodwill message, Chief Engr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said that the organization had put in place mechanisms to ensure every child of Igbo extraction not just understand Igbo language, but can read, write, tell Igbo proverbs/idioms.
Iwuanyanwu, who was represented by Chief Alex Ogbonna, the organization’s National Publicity Secretary, appreciated the organizers, adding that the organization would continue to support groups and foundations that promote Igbo language and culture within and outside Nigeria.
Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, Founder/President of Alaigbo Development Foundation, tasked all families, Igbo-based institutions and communities to start early to teach Igbo language and carry along children and wards in all aspects of Igbo culture, tradition and civilization. Nwala, who is also an emeritus professor of philosophy, noted that the event was apt and a veritable one to ensure that Igbo language, culture, tradition and civilization would never go extinct.
In her own remark, Chief Mrs Chika Ibeneme, (Nne Igbo Nine), whose spectacular entrance into the arena in her complete traditional regalia as a red cap chief, heralded by tradition bards was show stopping, urged Ndigbo to support the organizers. She equally congratulated the award recipients, urging them to see their well deserved awards as a catalyst to do even more in the promotion of Igbo language and culture.
The climax of the event was the presentation of meritorious service awards to three personalities that have excelled in the promotion of Igbo language.
The awardees were Nze Odogwu Odoemenam, a 78 year old veteran journalist from Owere Ezukala, Orumba South LGA, Anambra State. He was the Editor in Chief of Ogene, an Igbo language newspaper, owned by the Anambra State Government. Odoemenam is reputed for always speaking Igbo language.
According to him,”I speak English very fluently but whenever I meet a fellow Igbo, I speak to him/her in Igbo language, never in English”
The second was Chief Chinedu Ofomata, a renowned Igbo language teacher from Ogbunka, Orumba South LGA, Anambra State. Ofomata had his first Degree in Igbo Linguistics ( UNN ) with Second Class Honours Upper Division, M.A Igbo ( Abia State University), Ph.D , D. Litt.
He is an Author and a Publisher, who has written not less than two hundred books in Igbo Language and Culture. He is the Managing Director of Format Publishers Nigeria Limited and National Chairman, Association for the Survival of Igbo Language and Culture (ASILAC).
The third awardee, Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji, MNSE , COREN, is an indigene of Emudo-Nenwe in Aninri LGA of Enugu State.
Although a certified Electrical/Electronics Engineer who worked in PHCN, Enugu, Mazi is an acclaimed Igbo language and culture activist. He is the Publisher/CEO, hoo!haa!! ; the first Igbo online newspaper and an internationally acclaimed Igbo language translator.
He has been actively involved in Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other pan Igbo organizations, since 2000. In that time, he has held the following positions; founder/1st National Coordinator, Confederation of Igbo Students (CIS) (2000-2002), Co-Founder, Ohanaeze Youth Wing/Member, 1st National Igbo Day organizing Committee (2000),National Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo (2006-2009), etc.
He described himself as “an Engineer by education, a poet/writer by birth and an activist by vocation”
There was also an Igbo Language competition among secondary school students on Igbo spelling and proverbs. Federal Government College, Enugu, Spring of Life International School and God’s Gift Secondary School took the first, second and third positions, respectively.
A dance troupe from Igbo Dance Academy entertained guests with their captivating dance steps. Some of the other dignitaries in attendance include HRH Igwe Frederick Ukuta(Agbarakata III of Iggah, Uzo-Uwani LGA), Chief Mrs Chika Ibeneme (Nne Igbo nine, Nne Mmanwu), Mr Mike Okeke, President, Enugu Book Club, etc.
The event garnered significant support from various organisations and individuals, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South East Traditional Rulers Council, Nze na Ozo Prestigious Council Enugu State, Afia TV, Voice of the East – Ọlụ Ndị Igbo, Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu, God’s Gift International School, Spring of Life International School, and numerous attendees who contributed to the success of the celebration.
