Advocates have stressed the importance of instilling the basics of Igbo Language and Culture in the younger generation to save it from extinction.
This was the stand-out message during the third edition of an Igbo Language event, tagged “Asusu Igbo ga-adigide,” organized by Anambra State Library Board in Awka.
Igbo language, one of the three major languages spoken in Nigeria, has over the years, been losing speakers and writers.
Speaking during the event, the outgoing Director of Anambra State Library Board, Dr Nkechi Udeze, said that the annual programme was aimed at promoting Igbo Language and Culture and harped on the need to quickly restore the pride of the revered language.
While charging parents, guardians and teachers to teach and inculcate Igbo Language and values in their children and wards, Dr Udeze urged up-coming authors to put more efforts in writing Igbo literatures, to encourage reading and learning of the language across board.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s edition, “Ndi Igbo, Onye Aghala Nwanne Ya,” a guest lecturer, Professor Nkechinyere Nwokoye, called for the integration of Igbo Cultural Values and listed brotherly love, sanctity of blood, respect for elders and hard work, as some Igbo Cultural Values that must be returned to.
The chairman on the occasion and Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, said that people’s mode of dressing speaks more about their identity and urged people to stop looking down on Igbo tradition and attire.
In their separate speeches, Igwe Michael Ngene of Nibo community, his Umuawulu Community counterpart, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu and Igwe Ben Emeka of Umueri, commended the organizers and blamed parents, who do not speak Igbo Language to their children.
Some students, who spoke to the ABS, including Master Somtochukwu Anene and Miss Chinaza Udede, expressed happiness over the event and promised to be ambassadors of Igbo Language.
Competition on speaking and writing of Igbo Language, cultural displays and presentation of prizes climaxed the event.
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