Language extinction: Eze Njoku establishes Igbo Speaking School in Lagos.
Language extinction: Eze Njoku establishes Igbo Speaking School in Lagos.
By Emmanuel lkpeama.
To further propagate and encourage the speaking of lgbo language among children, the Eze Ndigbo of Aigbaka Ejigbo, Eze (Amb) Nicholas Njoku has reiterated his commitment to establishing an Igbo Speaking school in Ejigbo area of Lagos State
Eze Njoku who expressed unhappiness about the declination of Igbo language among the youth, blamed it on the parents for not speaking the language to the children at home but choose to communicate with them in English Language
He stated further that the event was to raise the awareness for the need to teach and promote the use of the language through various communication channels, encourage the speaking of mother tongue among children and wards.
The monarch who is an Ambassador of the United Nations, opined that the move for the unveiling of the school is coming on the heels of a prediction by the United Nations that the Igbo language will go into extinction in the nearest future, saying the school would help preserve the lgbo language and culture among the children.
“We have decided to establish this school so as to promote lgbo language, culture and traditions among the children as many no longer speak lgbo, the language is gradually dying, lgbos are known as the custodian of culture, traditions, and proverbs but the children are novice to all of this because the parents have failed to inculcate the language into their children”
“This school “Ulo Nmuta Omenala Nasusu Igbo would help our children to know their root, the meaning of their names as most lgbo children decide to bear English names rather than their Igbo names. Therefore, this school would be of great value so as for them to know their language, native food and culture so that it won’t go into extinction as predicted, we have decided to take the pain and cost in ensuring that these children are being taught what they are supposed to know as far as Igbo culture is concerned,” he said.
The Chairman of Ndieze, Lagos State, Eze (Dr) C.C. Nwokedi appreciated the effort of Eze Nicholas Njoku who have taken it upon himself to inculcate the culture, tradition and norms of Igbo language in the children and teens.
Eze Okpoko 1 of Ijegun/Ijedodo stated that the event would be an opportunity for the children to speak Igbo language for them not to be strangers in their land because of their inability to speak or know the norms and traditions of lgbo language.
He urged the Igbos to rise up and find a way to remedy the situation where the children cannot speak their mother’s tongue even as he appealed to parents to make it a point of duty to begin speaking and teaching their wards the language at home.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Godwin Umeugoji, urged parents to live up to responsibilities of inculcating the culture, heritage of lgbo language in their children, noting that if they fail to do so, in future, their children will turn against them.
He therefore commended Eze Njoku for coming to the rescue, so that Igbo language would not die a natural death.
Speaking further, the Eze lgbo of Ejigbo land, Eze (Dr) Alex Nwoye stated that the school would help the children to understand the importance of lgbo language, while calling on all and sundry to seize the opportunity to enroll their wards so as for them to be able to read and write in lgbo language.
Chief (Dr) Nkem Mordi Kenneth called on Nigerians especially the south easterners to join hands in ensuring that Igbo language does not into extinction, appealing to parents not to relent in teaching their wards the nitty gritty of the language.
Earlier the Chairman Planning committee, Barr. Charles Onyeaku in his welcome address, said that it was time and realization for lgbo language to be sustained and reversed toward upward trajectory with a view for expansion beyond the shores.
According to him, the lgbo language before now was the envy of other tribes but today it has become an object of extinction as most of the parents now feel ashamed and reluctant to speak Igbo or even identify with the culture or tradition as the children have now become strangers to their own root and are on the verge of embracing alien culture.
He commended Eze Ndigbo of Aigbaka Ejigbo who came up with this project to teach Igbo language, culture and traditions to the children and even adults who have the desire to learn. He submitted.
The occasion which had in attendance royal fathers, Ohaneze social group, leaders of thought had their ambience of culture and traditions at the highest level,as the children mesmerized the audience with songs, recitation,part of speech in lgbo language.
Highlight of the event was the unveiling of Ulo Nmuta Omenala Nasusu Igbo and launching of 150 million Naira fund for school bus and school permanent site.
