Chairman of Enugu state traditional rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Samuel Asadu , Igwe Edem-Ani, Nsukka, has advised parents and guardians to teach their children Igbo culture and language, disclosing that his children cannot speak Igbo language the way he wanted , acknowledging he failed in that aspect and he regrets that.
He disclosed this to newsmen at the weekend , during the 2025 World Language Day celebration organized by an Igbo group ,” Igbo Efula”in Enugu.
Igbo language is dieing. It’s going into extinction. Other tribes speak their language. It’s only Igbo people that speak English language,leaving their own. It affected me too. I lived in the United States for 30 years. That’s where I had all my children. Everything I did, I did them very well , only that my children cannot speak Igbo language the way I wanted. Quote me on that one. I did not do well in that area and God knows I did not do well there. I am very ,very sorry. That’s the only regret I have.
Pix: HRM Igwe Asadu.(M)
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“Anything I can do to promote Igbo language I will do that. Now that I am a traditional ruler, A high class monarch. I will do all I could to promote Igbo language. . I supported the Organizers. I commend their efforts.”, he said.
The Royal Father thanked the state government for approving the event, the Speaker, Enugu state House of Assembly,Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, ,the immediate past chairman,Enugu state council of traditional rulers, Igwe Ambassador Lawrence Agubzo, the students who presented Igbo proverbs, cultural dance .and all those who attended the event,
Igwe Asadu blamed elders, parents ( including himself) youths who failed to teach their children Igbo language. He said every Igbo person should promote Igbo language and culture , ensuring Igbo language does not go into extinction.
Speaking, one of the the Conveners , Oriaku, Okpataku Lilian Nkeoma Agbo , said “Igbo language and culture are good”
On what to do to promote Igbo language, she said, “we should start from our different houses. From birth, we should be speaking Igbo language to our children. At school , teachers should try and be teaching Igbo. Writers and promoters of Igbo language should try and write Igbo literature books . Parents should promote Igbo language by speaking Igbo to their children from birth”, Agbo said .
She frowned at the attitude of some private schools that do not teach Igbo language in their schools.She disclosed that her group,” Otu Igbo Efula” will soon start sensitization program on promoting Igbo language in schools
“Once an Igbo child is given birth to, parents should tell that child that he or she is an Igbo child. They should speak Igbo language to the child. That’s how to promote Igbo language. Igbo has a unique culture. Parents should educate their children on Igbo culture too, so that Igbo language will not go into extinction.
Speaking also, ichie Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, Akajiofor na Nri commended the organizers of the program. He urged government to support the teaching of Igbo language in schools . He also urged those who studied Igbo language to read it up to Ph.D level, saying ,” I have not seen anyone who studied Igbo language up to Ph.D level. He also urged government to support Igbo teachers to further their studies in Igbo language.
On his part, Agbalanze na Nri, Prince Emeka Onyeso ,urged the organizers to hook up with the Igbo promoters , Igbo leaders of Thought, Prof Amaucheazi, Prof Ejiofor and renowned Igbo books Writer F.C Ogbalu. He warned against the recent venture by the ministry of Livestock to buy lands and set up ranches in every community, saying, “it t is dangerous.
“Selling land to the ministry of Livestock to build ranches is colonization . Any community that sells land to the ministry of livestock is taking a risk. Everybody should open his eyes. It is a strategy to take over people’s communities. Anyone who wants to know more should look at what happened in Plateau. Over 300 communities were living in refugees camp since 2017. About 110 communities out of that 300 lost their lands to a particular tribe. They renamed the lands . It is a plot to finish the conquest of the rest of Nigeria. They will drive the original owners and take over their lands.
“Everybody should open his or her eyes.. Anyone who sells land to the ministry of Livestock should know it is a dangerous venture”, he warned.
The event with the Theme,” O si taa di nma” drew prominent Igbo sons and daughters from different walks of life. Highlights were presentation of Igbo proverbs, cultural dance by students from selected schools among others.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama