Ohanaeze laments decline in cultural values

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed grave concern over what it called a gradual erosion of Igbo language, culture and values.
Ohanaeze, however, called on Igbo Language experts, the governors of South-East and other concerned groups and individuals to establish a mechanism for translation of more English and scientific words into Igbo language and to establish generally acceptable Igbo vocabulary.
National vice chairman of Ohanaeze and former deputy governor of Ebonyi State, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, expressed the concern when an Igbo interest group, Igboekulie, organised a public lecture and presentation of awards to students, teachers, schools and individuals for promotion of Igbo language and culture, at College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu.
“Language is a living thing which must grow, otherwise it will die. There must be new words in Igbo language. I appeal for translation of more English and scientific words into Igbo language,” Ogbu said.
In a remark, President of Igboekulie, Prince Ben C. Onuora stated that the group, a non-profit organisation formed in 2015, was poised to among other things advocate promotion and protection of the economic, social, political and cultural values of Ndigbo as well as the revival of the Igbo language.
Onuora said the group was worried by recent postulation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that Igbo language faced prospect of extinction by 2025 if preservative actions were not taken.
He called on the Houses of Assembly in the Igbo speaking states to devote a day in every week for the conduct of their legislative business in Igbo language.

Newtelegraph

Leave a Reply