NKECHI Udeze, the acting director, Anambra State Library Board, has condemned use of English language by parents in the upbringing of their children.

Udeze made the condemnation during the 2018 International Mother Language Day celebration at Prof. Kenneth Dike Central e-library, Awka.

International mother language day is an annual feature and held on Feb. 21 to promote the preservation and protection of all indigenous languages.

The acting director described the decline in the use of Igbo language as worrisome, stressing that every effort must be made to save the language from extinction by 2050 as forecast by UNESCO.

“Public libraries observe international days as one of the innovative services to preserve and promote cultural heritage,” Udeze said.

Chinedu Uchechukwu, the guest lecturer, who explored the theme of the event, “Linguistic Diversity and Multilingualism Count for Sustainable Development,’’ advocated the use of local languages in spite of the knowledge of other foreign languages.

Uchechukwu, head, Department, Linguistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University described mother language as the first language of a person, which needs serious attention.

He urged parents to speak Igbo language to their children as they would learn English language in school.

He noted that the Linguistic Department organised conferences annually to ascertain and update various words in Igbo.

Christopher Onebune, former Director, Anambra State Library Board and Chairman of the occasion, called on the Igbos who reside in foreign lands not to neglect the Igbo culture.

The occasion featured presentation of Igbo songs, folk tales and riddles.

– Feb.  23, 2018 @ 18:30 GMT |