From Chinonyelum Ojiaku
The saying that Igbo language is on the verge of extinction is no longer going to hold water as
Igbo language is still waxing stronger. At Assumption Comprehensive Secondary School (ACSS)
Umuohama Ukpor Nnewi South Local Government Area, the school recently organized an ‘Itu Ilu Igbo’,
Igbo proverb competition for the students of the school.
The competition has 23 contestants who were shortlisted but at the end eight scaled through the
final. The contestants showed their prowess and versatility in Igbo proverbs as each where given 30
seconds to come up with proverb that no other contestant has said before.
At the end, over 600 different proverbs were recited by the finalists with each of them citing not
less than 60 proverbs. A 14 year old S.S.2 student, Master Okwuchukwu Jachike emerged winner being
able to recite more than 70 different Igbo proverbs to top the list.
Speaking with the principal of the school, Rev, Fr. Callistus Nwosu said that the school is
committed to promoting Igbo culture and tradition.
He stress that the school wanted to bring out the best student in Igbo proverbs and to also
promote the use of Igbo proverbs among the students.
According to Rev. Fr. Nwosu, “we arranged the competition “Itu Ilu Igbo” to know the best among
our students that has been grounded when it comes to speaking Igbo proverbs and to the greater glory
of God about 23 students participated, 8 reached finals and one person, Master Jachike Okwuchukwu
emerged winner. He has indeed shown that he is a genius when it comes to Igbo proverbs, he noted.”
The priest also thanked the sponsor of the programme Mazi Okwu Okwu praying that God will
bless him more. He further noted that it is also important to inculcate into the students the importance
of Igbo culture.
He disclosed that recently the students made an excursion to Anambra State Museum Igbo Ukwu
where they saw all those historical architects they heard about and weree shown architects that dated
back to more than 100 decades ago.
Also speaking the founder of Ilulogy School Mazi Okwu Okwu commended the schools on their
skill in Igbo proverbs. He described Ilulogy as the study of Ilu Igbo expressed happiness on the event
adding that the Igbo teachers in the school are doing a good job.
Mazi Okwu Okwu noted that his soul reason for sponsoring the programme is to re-awaken the
idea of language revival and cultural renaissance among the young generation. He promised to make the
programme an annual event while advising Ndi Igbo to go back to their root. “I must admit that Igbo
people are not doing well when it comes to speaking their mother tongue especially to their children
rather they prefer the use of a foreign language which is English.
The Igbo teacher in the school Mr. Simon Emejulu Mbanefo feeling elected on the whole event
advised the students against the use of Engligbo which is a mixture of English and Igbo while speaking.
In his take the winner, Master Okwuchukwu thanked God for the success. He attributed it to his
assudioness of studying Igbo books and literatures.
Master Okwuchukwu in S. S. 1 the winner went home with the cash prize of five thousand naira
(N5,000), the second position Master Chiemerie Ukporjendu in J.S.S2 got three thousand naira, while
Udeagbara Chukwuka in S.S.2 got home with two thousand naira (N2000) while the reaming five went
home with one thousand naira each.
In continuation of the career/cultural week of the school they also held a skilled acquisitions this is in
her bid to make the students to be self-reliant and independent.
During the programme, the students were taught such skills as how to make different types of
pies, fish pie, meat pie etc, other snacks taught included buns, egg roll etc. They were also taught how to
cut hair etc.
Speaking with the principal of the school during the event, Rev. Fr. Callistus Nwosu noted that the
acquisition programme is geared towards equipping the students to be able to face challenges of life
especially as not all will be opportune to get a white collar jobs after school.
Speaking with Rev Fr Nwosu on the success, the priest noted, “ we thank God for the programme,
in fact after that programme I have been receiving feedbacks from my students. He advised the student
to continue to remain focus in their studies which is the primary thing they are being sent to school.
“Make the wise choice and do not also forget to have one skill that you can be proud off and can use in
their life.”
