UNIZIK VC Laments The Dying state of Igbo language
UNIZIK VC Laments The Dying state of Igbo language.
Nkiru Nwagbo.
The Vice Chancellor of Nnamd Azikiwe University Awka Prof Charles Esimone yesterday lamented the dying state of Igbo language expressing fears that in no distant time the language may go into extinction.
He further urged parents teachers and guardians to communicate with their Children in Igbo language adding that this is the only way to sustain Igbo language and culture for the sake of posterity.
Esimone who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics Prof Fredrick Odibo said that the trend in the Igbo society where speaking of only English language and non speaking of Igbo language has become a status symbol that is dangerous development that would be harmful to the culture and tradition of the Igbo race.
Disclosing this during the launching of book called "AFAMUEFUNA",a collection of 6,000 Igbo names written and published by Prof Ngozi Ezenwa-Ohaeto, at the ASSU Auditorium Unizik, Esimone said that not only parents , teachers and guardians should be involved in protecting Igbo language but those at the helm of affairs in government and educational sector.
Also speaking former Commissioner for Information Prof Chinyere Okunna called for the reintroduction of Igbo cultural festivals and carnivals among primary and secondary School children as well of folk tales .
Okunna noted that in those days folk tales and songs go to teach moral values and educate the children on those things Ndigbo holds dear and sacred to the younger generation.
She lamented that even most names of towns in Igbo land have been anglasized calling for the changing of those names to the correct spellings.
Speaking on his book the Author of the book Prof Ngozi Ezenwa-Ohaeto said that she was inspired by the manner which most Igbo names have been bastardised by the younger generation of Igbo people adding that in the course of her research across Igbo land she discovered that Igbos tell their stories about life and origin through the names the bear and give to their children.
The book reviewer Prof Nkechinyere Nwokoye said that the names of Igbo people shows their identity and circumstances surrounding their birth and existence.
Prof. Ngozi Ezenwa-Ohaeto the publisher of AFAMUEFUNA.
Beautiful, Igbo ga adi.
ReplyDelete