The need to teach the younger generation Igbo language including its values in all entirety through speaking, writing and making proverbs out of it has once again come to the fore, given the challenges facing Igbo language and values when compared to other major languages in Nigeria.
This was the center of talks and activities during an Igbo Language event organized by the Anambra State Library Board in Awka.

Igbo is one of the major languages of Nigeria with speakers within the South East, South-South and parts of Middle Belt regions of Nigeria but over the years the language seems to be loosing speakers who can fluently speak, translate and write the language without mixing English language with it, which rather should be a foreign language.

The level of literary, creative and research works in Igbo language have also depreciated compared to that of Hausa and Yoruba languages, which many fear and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization have predicted that in the near future, Igbo language might have less and less speakers thereby being in the danger of extinction.

Speaking during the event, the Director of the State Library Board, Dr. Nkechi Udeze who spoke passionately said it is most disheartening the level that Igbo has fallen and harped on the need to bring the language up to its pride of place, as parents, guardians and teachers must see it as a moral obligation to teach and inculcate Igbo language and values to their children.

Professor Nkechiyere Nwokoye, who is the Head of Igbo Language at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in her speech explained that knowing how to speak and write Igbo language confers identity on one as having a root and it’s unfair to mix Igbo language with English while speaking calling on parents, teachers, churches and Individuals to join hands in helping Igbo language take its place as a language while the former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and founder of Otu Subakwa Igbo, worldwide, Professor Pita Ejiofor pointed that students should not be ashamed of studying Igbo language due to the fear of not getting jobs, as schools must begin to employ professionals to teach Igbo language if its to survive and commended the library board for such a noble programme.

In their various remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Secondary Education, Dr. Paul Ifeanyi and Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Anambra State Chief Damian Okeke-Oghene explained that it will be most unfortunate if all hands is not on deck to preserve and promote Igbo language and commended the state government for its efforts in promoting Igbo language even though more needs to be done they noted.

A teacher at Community Secondary School, Okpuno, Mrs. Ebele Illonwa and some students who participated in the competition organized during the event Miss. Nkemakonam Okafor and Master Chukwuma Chukwaezike all expressed happiness for the event and promised to be ambassadors of Igbo languag.

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