From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
A socio cultural pressure group known as ‘Igbo Efula’ is not relenting in its efforts to enhance the learning, teaching and speaking of Igbo language, the mother tongue of most Igbo tribes, South East zone of Nigeria so as to prevent the language from going into extinction
Speaking at an event to commemorate 2025 International Mother Language Day, the President of Igbo Efula,bMazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji,MNSE,COREN, said they have devised a programme that will encourage the Igbo Youths imbibe learning of Igbo language and culture at their tender age.
Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji gave this hints in his opening address at an event tagged,”Catch them Young” for students from some secondary schools in Enugu state,within the premises of Development Education Center,Independence layout, Enugu.
He lamented that the event would have been held on February 21st, which was the exact date of the 2025 International Mother language day celebration but was shifted because students who are the target of this year’s celebration were on mid- term break.
His words,”The event was shifted to 14th March since Secondary School students who are the focus of this year’s celebration were on Mid Term break by 21st February. We took this decision so as to “catch them young”.
“Our adolescents are the future of our language. Therefore, more emphasis must be placed on getting to realize why they must speak Igbo fluently, without compulsion. That is the essence of the Secondary School Students Igbo Proverbs competition”.
Mazi Oji pleaded with the Government and other stakeholders to support the Igbo language industry, as the surest way of promoting Igbo language.
He stated, “According to experts, the surest way of promoting Igbo language is by promoting the Igbo language industry, which implies supporting all those who earn a living through Igbo language such as Nollywood artistes, Igbo language teachers, Igbo language authors, journalists, etc. Logically, it is their business to promote Igbo language and the growth of their business is symbiotically linked to the growth of the language”.
The. event featured cultural dances and displays by various groups. Queens School Enugu emerged champions of the Igbo proverbs competition. The Speaker of Enugu state House of Assembly,Hon.Callistus Uche Ugwu presented the champions trophy to them.
City Girls Secondary School Enugu and Day Secondary School,Independence layout emerged first and second runners up.
The Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly,Hon.Uche Ugwu,commended Igbo Efula for their initiatives in promoting Igbo language and it’s values.
He stated,’ I commend Igbo Efula’ for their noteworthy efforts towards the promotion of Igbo language. We all have a duty to teach our children (the next generation of Ndigbo)Igbo language”.
Hon.Ugsu expressed delight with the devotion of the students to imbibe Igbo language and culture as their way of life and assumed maximum cooperation of the state assembly in the project.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke commended the organizers of the event for steadily working for the promotion of Igbo language.
Her words,”I commend the organizers of this event, Igbo Efula, for steadily working for the promotion of Igbo language.
“We all have a duty in ensuring that Igbo language grows and flourishes, rather than going extinct. However, our parents have a big duty in ensuring that their children learn to speak Igbo from their homes”.
The chairman of the event, Okpala Eze Nri Chukwuemeka Onyesoh(Oba Agbalanze) stated,
“I sincerely commend the organizers of this event -Igbo Efula and I urge all of us to take up the task of ensuring the promotion of Igbo language.
“I equally urge Igbo Efula to explore ways of working together with other organizations that equally have the goal of promoting Igbo language”
His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ambassador L.O.C. Agubuzu, OON, CFR, former chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers/Chairman, Board of Trustees, Igbo Efula, expressed his appreciation to all the dignitaries who honoured the organizer’s invitation.
He urged them all to support Igbo Efula to ensure that their lofty and onerous task of reviving and promoting Igbo language was achieved.
In his own speech, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu (Ogadagidi), Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council commended the President, Igbo Efula, Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji, for his untiring efforts towards the promotion of Igbo language. He equally pledged the support of traditional rulers in the state in that regard.
Other dignitaries at the event include Hon Okey Mba, member representing Nkanu East constituency/Deputy Minority Whip, Enugu State House of Assembly, Pharm. Chika Ugwuoke, Enugu State Commissioner for Labour & Productivity, represented by Mrs Ifeyinwa Nnaji, Agbalanze Chike Madueke, President, Aka Ikenga, Lagos, Prof Eddy Ndibuagu, Enugu State University of Science & Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu and Mazi ‘Zulu Ofoelue, Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Enugu chapter.
Highlights of the event include the launching of a sticker in promotion of Igbo language, musical performance by Bukas,an Igbo language artiste, Secondary School Students Igbo Proverbs Competition, a dramatic presenation on the importance of kolanut in Igbo culture by pupils of Fresh Grace Montessori School, Enugu.
Also, there were cultural displays by Fresh Grace Montessori School, Enugu, May Blossom Secondary School, Enugu and City Girls Secondary School, Enugu.
Other schools in attendance include College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu and Day Secondary School, Independence Layout, Enugu and Queens School, Enugu.
The chairperson of the event,Mrs Lilian Agbo expressed gratitude to everyone who made out time to participate in the event and welcomed the support from the dignatories. She said the organization will reach out to schools who are yet to adopt the teaching and learning of Igbo language as a subject in their school..
