Since the emergence of the Professor George Obiozor – led new Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership, many stakeholders have expressed optimism that the administration would bring new ideas to consolidate on the achievements of its predecessors towards achieving the Igbo agenda.

In addition to galvanizing Ndigbo to have strong voice and presence in national affairs, Ohaneze Ndigbo should help in fostering unity among its members to pool together and move in the same direction. Ohaneze is also expected to work closely with traditional rulers and other Igbo leaders to protect and promote Igbo cultural values and general way of living.

Culture remains the hallmark of self-identity and social integration. This is why the increasing neglect, disdain and deprecating approach of some Ndigbo towards their cultural heritage have become a source of worry.

The present trend of cultivating the speaking of English language as status symbol and mark of achievement has pervaded many Igbo families and encourage many parents to first teach their children English language even before they could understand the rudiment of the mother tongue. Some Igbo nursing mothers address their sucking babies in English language and sing only English lullabies whenever they want to send to sleep. It has become a taboo in many Igbo homes for siblings to converse in Igbo language or address their parents in the mother tongue even when the parents are seriously handicapped in speaking English language.

Similarly, the authorities and teachers of most nursery schools place emphasis on teaching English language without corresponding orientation in Igbo. As a result, children can fluently recite speeches in English language but cannot respond to the simplest mode of greeting in Igbo language.

In other tribes, it is rare to see their people conversing in another language, even when discussing official matters. Unfortunately, here, the only way some Ndigbo can showcase their university education is to speak English Language among themselves even in their homes and to their illiterate parents and grandparents.

The story is the same in the mode of dressing. In the past, the mode of dressing of Ndigbo reflected the high regard they had for moral and some values as both men and women dressed with due respect to customs and tradition so that their presence in any public gathering was full of honour.

Perhaps the worst hit is Igbo traditional food. Today many Igbo girls and married women cannot effectively combine traditional recipes in cooking dishes. Some cook with a catalogue of recipes beside them and still could not deliver a meal while some would send money to their grandmother to prepare such dishes for their husbands.

Some cultural activities which help to strengthen bond among Ndigbo like communal labour, wrestling and cultural dances are fast disappearing in the record of history and folklore, while some popular Igbo names have either been discarded or bastardized to sound like foreign names.

Time has now come for Ohaneze Ndigbo and other traditional Igbo Institutions to champion the campaign to restore and revitalize those rich cultural and social values that distinguish Ndigbo from other people.

Since Ndigbo are living in almost every part of the world, it is important for Ohaneze Ndigbo to initiate moves to attract international broadcasting stations to allocate time for Igbo programmes. This will among other encourage other countries to accommodate the study of Igbo Language in their school curricula. If France could expend huge resources to promote the study of French in Nigeria, it will not be out of place if Ndigbo pursue the study of their language in other parts of the world.

Most importantly, the use of other languages at the gathering of Ndigbo should be banned out rightly with heavy penalties for offenders, while traditional wears, not only the red cap, should be encouraged among the young and the old. Ohaneze should also organize regular Igbo festival of Arts and Culture at zonal, state and community levels, to enable Igbos appreciate the beauty of Igbo cultural values and traditional heritage and save the race from suffering the fate of an endangered species.

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