S‘East insecurity hampering our Igbo language development projects—Igboekulie
…Says Oxford University has internationalised teaching, learning Igbo
Maureen Aguta
Foremost Igbo socio-political organisation, Igboekulie has expressed it regret over the insecurity in the South Easter part of the country, saying the poor state of security in the region and the recent Covid-19 pandemic set back its Igbo Language development programme, ‘Asusu Igbo Amaka’ in the last four years.
This came as the group which its core interest is the promotion cum development of Igbo language and culture has elogised Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Umenonyirioha, the Igbo language lecture at the Oxford University, England for his efforts at internationalising the teaching and learning of Igbo language.
Out-gone president of Igboekulie, Prince Ben Onuora in his speech at the Annual General Meeting of organisation in Lagos, said: “When news broke on the internet that Igbo Language has been adopted as one of the languages to be taught at the University of Oxford, Oxford, England, it was good music to the ears of Igboekulie members. After months of sustained efforts, we got the contact of the appointed lecturer for this important task of internationalizing the teaching and learning of Igbo Language. He is Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Umenonyirioha.
“On October 7, 2022, five members of Igboekulie had dinner with him, at the residence of the President. So many issues on Igbo Language and its development were discussed over food and drinks. Topics like producing Igbo cartoon series, establishing Igbo Institute, developing Igbo based computer soft and hardware, highlighting a collection of Igbo history and discoveries, eg. the little known Lejja community in Enugu State which is home to the worlds’ oldest iron -smelting site. There is also the Igbo origin of Atta of Igalla in Kogi State, the Biblical connection as well as the Igbo Nsude Pyramid in Udi, Enugu State.”
He stated that in due course, the modalities for implementing some of these programmes with their funding requirements shall be unfolded. Generally, it was a nice interactive session.
Prince Onuora who at the meeting handed over the reins of Igboekulie to the new president of the association to the new president, Barr Benjamin Obidegwu, further disclosed that in the course of the group’s Igbo Language development efforts, it sponsored the publication of an Igbo Language book in 2022.
“The book is titled, “Igbo Amaka II:Okwu Igbo Ndi Di Omimi Na Nkowa Ha. The author, HRM C.N. Nnaemeka Nwajiagu Ph.D, a traditional ruler from Oji River, Enugu State, is a long time friend and supporter of Igboekulie. At our cost, 2000 copies of the book were printed. Out of these, 500 copies were given to the author, while we kept 1,500 for use at our Asusu Igbo Amaka (AIA) programmes as well as distribution to Secondary Schools in Nigeria which offer Igbo Language as a subject and libraries. Members are also being given copies for keeps and distribution to schools in their localities. We are grateful to our committed member, Dr. Angela Nwankwere an Igbo language scholar for assisting us and the author to review the manuscript,” he said.
According to him, in the course of the year, Igboekulie promoted Igbo courses and Igbo language using our usual media channels of bulk sms, WhatsApp, radio jingles, Igboekulie Facebook Wall, etc. “The latter was used particular to promote Igbo achievers all over the world (including Dr. Uchechukwu Umeonyirioha), non-Igbos on Youtube who speak fluent Igbo language and how easily they were integrated and accepted across Igbo land.”
Prince Onuora also said that the group in 2022, renewed and further shared widely its well worded WhatsApp message on insecurity in the South East titled “Anarchy, killing Not in Igbos DNA” which was further published by many online news media.
“Apart from this, we discussed and condemned the burning down of the country home of Prof. George Obiozor, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who died a few months after the inferno. He regretted that the Igboekulie’s flagship programme, Asusu Igbo Amaka (AIA) was held last in 2019 at Owerri, Imo State. “Since then, because of Covid-19 and lately insecurity in the entire South East Zone of Nigeria, the event has not been held. Unfortunately, despite the willingness of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki to host us last year as well as this year, it remains unsafe to expose our school children – the focus of the programme to any real or potential danger. We are hopeful of an improvement next year to enable us have our usual vibrant children along with victorious Igbo language teachers and schools.”
He disclosed that the AIA Planning Committee led by Prof. Chigozie Ogbu (Chairman) Prof. B.C. Jiburum (Co-Chairman) and Associate Prof. Oby Nwaokorie (Secretary); remains intact, saying in 2022, the AIA Project Review Committee submitted its report on expanding the scope of the programme to include competitions for best poem, software, moving picture, song, game, etc. “The report was accepted with commendation to the members of the Committee,” he said, adding that it was resolved that because of the creative recommendations, the committee should be converted to an Implementation Committee. “Therefore, we expect collaboration between this Committee and the AIA Planning Committee for the next AIA programme,” Prince Onuora said.