Anambra State Library in its bid to promote and preserve Igbo culture has held a One-Day campaign urging parents to promote Igbo language from childhood with the theme: “Asusu Igbo Ga-Adigide’’ which attracted pupils, parents, civil servants and scholars of Igbo language.
In her remarks at the event, the Director Anambra State Library Services Dr Nkechi Udeze lamented at the current poor practice in the use of Igbo language among the indigenous Igbo population and 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 Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene stressed the need for workshops and trainings for Igbo teachers annually noting that language and cultural dressing distinguishes one from the rest
Also in his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and founder Otu Subakwa Igbo, Prof Pita Ejiofo urged participants to use Igbo language in their homes and at other social events as the Igbo language is slowly gaining thrust/force, while urging parents to encourage their children to offer Igbo language as their course of study in tertiary institutions
The Traditional Ruler of Nibo, Eze M C Ngene reiterated the need for parents to use Igbo language when communicating with their Wards in early stages of childhood
Earlier in her speech, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment Mrs Obiageliaku Umeadi enjoined parents to be proud in use of Igbo language as a form of communication in their homes
Also 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, while criticising parents and teachers for failing to encourage their students to use Igbo language in communicating with one another.
Nwokoye then 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. Highlights of the event was Igbo spelling bee, sentence formation and finally Igbo writing and reading.
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