Traditional Rulers in Anambra State have been urged to always interact with their people in their mother tongue, Igbo language.
This is to help encourage the people especially the younger ones to be at home with their mother tongue.
The Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Obi Alfred Achebe, made the call when the Anambra State Chairman of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Chief Damain Okeke Ogene and his team, paid the traditional rulers courtesy visit at their Chambers at the Government House, Awka.
Igwe Achebe who is also the traditional ruler of Onitsha, regretted Igbo language and Culture are fast going into extinction some Igbo people are now more comfortable with other people’s language and Culture.
He frowned at parents, guardians and caregivers who bully their children for speaking Igbo language, calling for attitudinal change.
The traditional rulers of Nibo, Ezike Dennis Ngene, while adding his Anambra traditional rulers have been called upon to always speak Igbo language and encourage younger generation to learn the language.
The Chairman Anambra state traditional rulers,Obi Alfred Achebe made the call when chairman Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Chief Damain Okeke Ogene and his team paid the council members courtesy visit at their chambers hall at Government House Awka.
Obi Alfred who regretted the decline of igbo language and culture among igbo speaking people encouraged traditional rulers, religious leaders and opinion leaders to join in the campaign to not to relegate our language and Culture to the background.
The Royal father also charged the State Ohaneze Ndigbo Chairman and his team to ensure they conduct free, fair and credible elections in line with Ohaneze Constitution.
The traditional rulers of Nibo, Ezike Dennis Ngene, while adding his voice, urged Ndi Igbo not to allow Igbo language to die, encouraging them to give scholarships and other incentives to students and teachers of Igbo language.
He further advocated that Igbo language be made compulsory subject for admission into higher institution in Igbo land.
Responding, the State Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damain Okeke Ogene, promised to carry the the message to their different domains and as well encourage Ndi Igbo to heed the call to save Igbo language from extinction by speaking it always.
On his part the President, ASATU, Chief Alex Onukwue, warned that Igbo language would die if nothing is done urgently to safe it.
He explained that language is the most important information and communcication characteristics of human beings, adding also that language is power as well as great weapon for cultural preservation.
Chief Onukwue further observed that the rich Igbo cultural heritage is reflected in Igbo proverbs found in Emblems, songs, dances,
Drama, paintings drawings, marriage, festivals and title taking.
