Know your root, be proud of it – Chuma-Udeh

By Nkiruka Ezedinugwu

ANAMBRA State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh has charged ndi Igbo to always know who they are at all times and to be proud of the Igbo rich cultural heritage.

  She made this call during the presentation of some copies of a book “Learning about Ndi Igbo”, written by Chief Chibueze Nnaemeka Ikoku, at the Ministry of Education Hall,  in Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.

  The commissioner said that the publication of the book came at a very right time, especially now that it is widely presumed that Igbo language may go extinct in 50 years time, if nothing is done to stop that, and the onus lies on the  younger generation to uphold not just Igbo language, but the vast rich cultural heritage.

  She said that Igbos “are hard-working, enterprising and have this ambience that set them apart from other people wherever they go. In fact, Igbos are exceptional breeds. But the irony of this is that these qualities they posses does not only attract admiration from people around them, it also attract jealousy and most times, hatred. But we have developed thick skins against all these negativities and that is what makes us who we are”.

  The commissioner also charged  teachers of Igbo language to rise up to the task of making sure that the younger generations are adequately informed in this regard. She also urged the teachers to come together and take up the responsibility of generating Igbo word for every English word as this is one way to keep Igbo language alive.

  In his opening remarks, Chief Chibueze Ikoku, the author of the book, “Learning about Ndi Igbo”, said that one of the reasons that prompted him to write the book is to correct the many wrong conceptions about ndi Igbo which have existed over the years, adding  that nother reason is to help nip in the bud the extinction of Igbo rich cultural heritage.