Politics
THE Anambra State Library in its bid to promote and preserve Igbo culture, held a one-day campaign, urging parents to promote Igbo language from childhood.
The campaign has the theme: “Asusu Igbo Ga-Adigide’’,’ attracted pupils, parents, civil servants and scholars of Igbo language.
In a speech at the event, the Director, Anambra State Library Services, Nkechi Udeze, lamented at the current poor practice in the use of Igbo language.
She urged everyone, especially parents and teachers to join hands in upholding the beauty of Igbo language, while communicating with their children.
President Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra State Chapter, Damian Okeke-Ogene, stressed the need for workshops and training for Igbo teachers annually.
He noted that language and cultural dressing distinguishes one from the rest.
In a remark, the Chairman of the occasion and founder Otu Subakwa Igbo, Prof. Pita Ejiofo, urged the participants to use Igbo language in their homes and at other social events.
“The Igbo language is slowly gaining thrust/force; I urge parents to encourage their children to offer Igbo language in tertiary institutions,’’ he said.
The Traditional Ruler of Nibo, Eze M C Ngene, noted the need to use of Igbo language as a form of communication in the early stages of childhood
Earlier in her speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, Obiageliaku Umeadi, enjoined parents to be proud in the use of Igbo language as a form of communication in their homes.
Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye of the Department of Linguistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in her lecture, admonished that “language is a life wire of any indigenous community’’.
She criticised parents and teachers for failing to encourage their students to use Igbo language in communicating with one another.
Nwokoye urged religious leaders, media houses and other groups to promote Igbo language, noting that if nothing was done, the prediction by “UNESCO that Igbo language would go into extinction by 2050 may come to pass’’.
Igbo spelling bee, sentence formation, Igbo writing and reading formed part of the event.
– Nov. 21, 2020 @ 12:35 GMT |
Tags: Anambra campaign group urges parents to promote Igbo language from cradle
