Centre For Memories, Marks The International Mother Language Day
The fear of the Igbo language going extinct is real and of concern to the centre for memories, an organization that focuses on the preservation of Igbo language.
In Enugu on Wednesday, the organization in collaboration with Igbo Efula an organization that promotes Igbo language marked the 2024 international mother language day in Enugu.
The event which focused on what needs to be done to preserve the Igbo language identified teaching young Igbo children their mother tongue as a critical step towards preserving the language.
The Director of Igbo Efula, Ikechukwu Orji said that parents, schools and other critical institutions have a responsibility to communicate to Igbo children in Igbo language as a defense against the language dying.
Also the Enugu State commissioner for culture and Tourism Dame Nkechi Madueke advised that the Igbo language should be promoted amongst other languages in Nigeria and in the world. She said that learning other languages in the world was important to have the opportunity of getting a jobs across cultures.
She stated that in other to make sure that Igbo language does not die, the government of Enugu State will look at organizing various competitions in Igbo language in different Schools.
Speaking to Signature television, the national publicity secretary Ohaneze Ndigbo Dr. Alex Ogbonnia said that all efforts should be made to make sure that Igbo language is promoted everywhere in Igbo land and beyond. He added that Igbo people are all over the world and as a result, most of them are not educated in the cultures of Igbo land, adding that Ohaneze Ndigbo will support every effort to preserve the Igbo language.
Also lending his voice the president of Alaigbo development foundation professor Uzodimma Nwala said that they have gathered to honour the mother language day in other to make sure that Igbo language is promoted by all means. He advised that various Igbo organizations should take promotion of Igbo language as a priority in other to make sure that the Igbo language does not die.
Some of the dignitaries present at the event includes the honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Dame Nkechi Madueke, the president South East traditional rulers Council Igwe L O Agubuzu, the president general of Ohaneze ndigbo worldwide Emmanuel Iwuanyawu who were represented by the national publicity secretary of the organization Dr Alex Ogbonnia amongst many others.
