Igbo Kwenu!!!! As University To Make Igbo Language Compulsory Course For All Students

Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Director, Igbo Renaissance at the Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia, said on Saturday that the university would soon introduce the Igbo language as a compulsory course in the second year.

Madubuike announced this at Uturu during the 6th edition of the Igbo (Uturu) Cultural Carnival, which held at the university.

“By the next two years, the university plans to introduce the Igbo language as a compulsory subject for all students in the second year.

“Whether you are Yoruba, Hausa or Efik, you must take Igbo as a compulsory subject, in spite of your area of specialisation,’’ he said.

Madubuike described the Igbo language as the ‘’soul of the culture of Ndigbo,’’ adding that the disappearance of the language would mean the ultimate death of the culture.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra state, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, called for concerted efforts by people of the South-East to save the Igbo language from going extinct.

Ekwueme, who was the chairman of the carnival, expressed regret that the Igbo language was under serious threat, due to the decline in its usage as a means of communication in various families.

He noted that many families of Igbo origin preferred to communicate in foreign languages, especially the English language, with their children.

“More often, nowadays, you find many parents communicating with their children and relations in the English language, rather than the Igbo language,’’ he said.

The initiator and sponsor of the carnival said that the objective of the yearly event was to provide a platform for the transmission of Igbo culture from one generation to another, among others.

He said that the theme of this year’s carnival: ‘’Ibu anyi danda’’ (meaning ‘’resilience and the indomitable spirit’’) of Ndigbo, underscored the numerous challenges and struggles faced by the Igbo man.

Ibe noted that God had always rewarded the Igbo man with huge success in his vocations and determination to succeed in life.

The Chancellor explained that the ceremony was organised as ‘’our contribution to the cultural heritage of mankind‘’.

He described the celebration of a people’s culture as ‘’the celebration of their history, civilisation and the totality of their way of life’’.

The lecture on the theme was delivered by a renowned author and publisher, Mr Chinedum Ofomata.

Highlights of the ceremony included cultural dances by variIgbo Kwenu!!!! As University To Make Igbo Language Compulsory Course For All Studentsous dance groups from 16 states of the federation.

Different kinds of masquerades, including ‘’Ijele’’ and ‘’Atu’’ from Anambra, took turns to perform at the event, which attracted a large crowd from within and outside the country.


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