Group Seeks Igbo Language Revival

A group, Otu Suwakwa Igbo Initiative, has called for concerted efforts for the revival of Igbo language to prevent it from dying.

The Chairman of the initiative and former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Pita Ejiofor, made the call in Awka on Saturday at a consultative forum.

Ejiofor expressed regret that Igbo as one of the three major languages in Nigeria was fast disappearing and that unless urgent steps were taken, it would die a natural death.

He urged all Igbo people to be proud of their language and culture by speaking it and teaching their children.

‘We should all be proud of our language and ensure that we speak it at all times except when communicating with other people that are not of Igbo extraction,” the chairman advised.

The sponsor of the forum, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, also expressed regret over the rate at which the language was being relegated to the background by Igbo people.

“Every persen under the planet have language and any time the language dies, the people lose their identity..

“Every nation is proud of its language which is a unifying factor. It’s therefore sad and shameful that we have disregarded our language, “ Ezeemo said.

He called on the South-East governors to take proactive steps for the revival and sustenance of the language.

The sponsor promised to support the National Film and Video Censors Board in a bid to promote Igbo language through films and videos.

The Zonal Director of the board, Mrs Lizzy Uwaezeoke, pledged to ensure that the language was given prominence.

The Chairman of Ohaneze in Anambra ,Chief Chris Elumunoh, urged parents to communicate with their children and wards in Igbo as part of the promotion of the language.

In a remark, the Permanent Secretary in Anambra State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Tony Udo restated the commitment of the government to the promotion of Igbo language and culture.