•It must not be allowed to die —Stakeholders

•Igbo Language at 8th stage of language endangerment —Prof. Agbedo

•Make Igbo language of all business transactions in Igboland —Abia monarch

•Neglect of 1984 National Policy on Education to address the issue of language  decline is part of the problem

•Parents are also to be blamed —IWA president

By Anayo Okoli, Vincent Ujumadu, Steve Oko, Chinonso Alozie, Alumona Ugwueze, Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Ugochukwu Alaribe, Emmanuel Iheaka &  Faustina Ofoha

THERE has been growing concern over the possible extinction of Igbo language, and by extension, Igbo culture  as a result of neglect by Igbo leaders and parents.

The importance of Igbo language is constantly on the decline even among Ndigbo, including the leaders and parents. They have not shown genuine and concerted efforts to encourage the growth of Igbo language and culture.

Many young  Igbo find it very difficult to speak the language as a result of the non-interest of their parents and guardians to teach them. The situation is worrisome  and constitutes a big threat to the continued existence of Igbo language on the face of the earth. SEV tries to seek possible solutions.

Children should be taught in mother tongue for the first 9 years in school—Prof. Emejulu

The immediate past Executive Director, National Institute for Nigerian Languages, NINLAN, Aba, Professor Obiajulu Emejulu, advocates that Igbo children be taught in their mother tongue for the first 9 years in school.   Emejulu said his recommendation is in line with the National Policy on Education which was developed in 1984 to address the issue of language decline.

He noted with regret that most of the middle-class Igbo parents who are educated hardly transmit the language to their children, warning that in the next 15 years, there is going to be a generation of Igbo people who can’t speak Igbo language.

Emejulu said: “From early primary school, Igbo children should be taught in their mother tongue. At the senior primary level, English should be introduced as a foreign language. Then at the junior secondary level, they will be taught partly in English and Igbo; they will make a transition from Igbo to English; by that time they will have been solid in their mother tongues.

“The case of the Igbo language is one of the most pathetic in terms of language endangerment and decline. By population, the Igbo are one of the most populous linguistic groups. We always run into millions of people who are indigenous to Igbo language. Therefore, our language should not be in trouble at all.

“Unfortunately, UNESCO as far back as 10 years ago classified Igbo language as an endangered language and they gave several reasons which include one, that lots of middle-class parents who are educated don’t transmit the language to their children, so there is a gap. In the next 15 years, we are going to have a generation of Igbo people who don’t speak Igbo language, some don’t even understand. When they don’t transmit the language and if something drastic isn’t done, there is going to be serious atrophy for Igbo language.

“Igbo language is spoken in the core Igbo areas and also in other parts of the world where Igbo people reside. But if you imagine yourself and your family, how many Igbo proverbs, and idioms do you speak? Even for those who speak Igbo today, the one they speak is more prosaic. All the nuances of Igbo proverbs and idioms are gone. You find families in the Igbo heartland cities whose children don’t speak Igbo, when you talk to a child in these families, the parents will tell you they don’t understand Igbo. It is terrible.

“The national policy on education was developed in 1984 to address this issue of language decline. It provides that children should be taught in their mother tongues for the first 9 years. Unfortunately, this is not happening. For some strange reasons, Igbo families believe in the Head Start rule, they think that if they start speaking English to their children from day one, they will grow to speak good English. Experience has proven this to be wrong.

“On the contrary, when a child is taught in Igbo language from the family to the basics, that child grows strong in that language.

“When that child is introduced to other languages, the child picks that second language easily because he has a solid foundation in Igbo. “Linguists have shown that a child who is between 2 and 10 years old can pick up to 6 languages at the same time if they are exposed to them. So, we have nothing to lose in exposing our children to mother tongues and adding English and French along the line. But we have a lot to lose when our children grow up not being able to speak Igbo fluently while speaking other languages. They become hybrid human beings just like the bat in Igbo folklore. Our children are Igbo by birth and by geographical location, but by language, they are not Igbo.

“If you go overseas, you will see how Nigerian children who don’t speak their mother tongues feel like outcasts amid people of other cultures. So, something drastic needs to be done to save Igbo language from going into extinction”.

Make Igbo the language of all business transactions in Igbo land—Abia monarch

Proffering a solution, the traditional ruler of Abiriba Ancient Kingdom, Eze Kalu  Ogbu,  Enachoken Abiriba, called for the adoption of Igbo language as a language of business transactions in all Igbo-speaking states.

“Even in the Houses of Assembly in the South East, including every Government function, Igbo language should be made the official language for business transactions. Interpreters can be used when necessary”, the monarch suggested.

He advocates that Igbo language  be made a compulsory subject for all candidates sitting for the Ordinary Level (‘O’ Level) examination in the South East irrespective of their choice of future career.

“We can make Igbo language a compulsory subject for every candidate sitting for WAEC or NECO examination in the South East”.

Parents should be blamed —IWA president

The National President of Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, blamed parents for the inability of their children to speak Igbo. She regretted that some parents created a wrong notion that made their children see Igbo language as inferior to the English language.

To get it right, she advocates the use of Igbo language in teaching sciences in schools in Igbo land.

She said: “The first step towards preventing Igbo language from dying is for parents to begin to explain to their children that speaking Igbo language is for their good. They should begin to teach them the importance of speaking and the danger of not speaking their mother tongue.

“Parents should begin to teach their children that no other language is better than their mother tongue. When this is done, our children will begin to speak Igbo proudly. So, we need to start correcting the wrong orientation of discouraging Igbo language even from parents. If we don’t want Igbo language to die, we must remove the inferiority complex in communicating with our mother tongue.

The IWA President also urged governments in Igbo-speaking states to formulate policies that would help people embrace Igbo language as an official means of communication in the region.

“Governments in Igbo land can put in place policies that will make Igbo the only means of communication in schools outside the classroom. This will make both teachers and students know that the Igbo language is also important.

“Secondly, our Governments can make it a law that the Igbo language will be the only official language of communication in every Igbo gathering”.

Lolo Chimezie said that IWA has been encouraging the growth of the Igbo language.

“We have IWA schools in Lagos where the Igbo language is taught. We are making efforts to extend the same to South East states. We in IWA encourage Igbo mothers everywhere in the world to proudly speak Igbo to our children”.

Igbo language is at 8th stage of  language  endangerment —Prof. Agbedo

The Director, of the Centre for Igbo Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chris Agbedo, hinted that the Igbo  Language is presently at the 8th stage of  language  endangerment. He explained that this stage is characterized by a break in the intergenerational transmission of a  language from one generation to another.

Agbedo, a professor of Linguistics, berated parents and school teachers who discourage the use of Igbo  Language at home and in the classrooms.

“The only way to save Igbo  Language is to start mother tongue education; there are no two ways about it. It will save our  language from extinction and it would equally facilitate learning. If you are teaching a child quadratic equation in the English  Language, the child has to understand the English  Language first before understanding the equation you are teaching. In that case, he has to break two linguistic codes. If he is deficient in English  Language, he will never understand the equation you are teaching, but if the equation is taught using the mother tongue, the only  language code the child will break is that of the equation and it would be easier for him to do that.

“There is what we call  language  endangerment and most African  languages are facing various degrees of  endangerment. There are 11 stages of  language  endangerment and from what I have discovered; Igbo  Language is at the 8th  stage. This 8th  stage is when the husband and wife use a  language but the children do not use it. Once there is a break in the intergenerational transmission of a  language, the  language will suffer a grave stage of  endangerment and that is what is already happening to Igbo  Language.

“The notion that speaking the Igbo  Language to a child at his formative stage will impede his ability to learn the English  Language is very wrong”, Agbedo said.

Our leaders have negative attitude towards the language

A community leader in Awka, Anambra State,  Nnamdi Obiaknyia said only Igbo people can save the Igbo language through deliberate efforts to change the negative attitude toward the language.

“The main problem of the Igbo language is the negative attitude being exhibited towards the language by prominent Igbo people, both the educated and illiterate ones. Ironically, those who claim that UNESCO’s prediction is untrue are among those who can neither read nor write Igbo; those who have no scholarly work on the Igbo language to their credit, and those who boldly but ignorantly murder both Igbo and English languages in their speech and writing.

“UNESCO is therefore right. We can only prove their prediction wrong by taking action immediately. As a concerned Igbo, I believe that when a language is neglected by its speakers, it will become extinct. Many people cannot boast of speaking Igbo fluently. When a language is gone, culture is gone. It means that identity will also go”, Obiaknyia said.

According to him, UNESCO’s prediction itself has awoken Igbo scholars and indigenes towards a greater conscious effort to keep their language alive, as several clarion calls are being made by many Igbo scholars for a positive attitude towards the language.

He added: “Parents often decide to bring up their children in other languages than their own. By doing so, they hope to overcome discrimination, attain equality of opportunity, and derive economic benefits for themselves and their children.

“Even after 64 years of independence, Nigerian households and institutions widely regard Indigenous languages as being for the ‘ordinary and unschooled’. Those who speak their mother tongues in schools where English is the language of communication and instruction, are punished even to date”.

Learning the language should be compulsory in Igboland —Prof. Okoro

For Professor Okee Okoro of the Department of Library and Information Science, Imo State University, Owerri, the solution lies in making the teaching and learning of the Igbo language compulsory in schools in Igbo land.

“There is a great neglect by people of Igbo extraction in speaking and promotion of the Igbo Language. The Igbo have continued to emphasize second Language learning/communication the utter neglect of their own.

“Refusing to teach our children the Igbo language from birth is deleterious to their educational, psychological, and mental development.  It affects their worldview because they are supposed to see the world from the point of the Igbo space and not a superimposed/foreign view”.

A Ghana-based Nigerian teacher, Victor Onyekaozuru in his opinion said the state governments in Igbo land should make passing the language compulsory for pupils and students to be promoted to the next class in schools. This, he said, will accord the language more regard and a place of pride.

“State governments in Igbo land should make the passing of Igbo Language compulsory for anyone to be promoted to a new class in schools.  This will be a way of, according to the language, a place of pride. It is a case of misplaced priorities on the part of the parents and governments”.

An Onitsha-based businessman, Uchenna Onyekwelu also attributed the problem to neglect and called on the Ministries of Education in all the states in Igbo land to make a law making the language compulsory and enough qualified Igbo teachers should be trained too.

Igbo language and culture not dying—Adimora

A former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Onitsha Branch,  Chris Adimora, however, disagrees that the Igbo language and culture are dying; he said they are rather doing well. He cited the celebration of the New Yam festival in the Diaspora by Ndigbo with their family members, using undiluted Igbo language.

“There is no threat to the continual existence of Igbo language and culture.  Igbo language and culture are even waxing stronger at this time and age.  This is evident in the celebration of Igbo culture in many cities of the world through the celebration of the New Yam festival and other celebrations. Our language and culture instead of dying are being exported outside Igbo land to the world by Igbo in the Diaspora”.

Adopt Igbo culture in leadership —Igbo youths urged

By Chinedu Adonu

ENUGU—A social

entrepreneur, Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, has called on the new generation of Igbo leaders to build the capacity that will enable them to excel as high-paid professionals and high-net-worth entrepreneurs, wherever they are found.

Okenwa spoke at the maiden edition of  Nchawaputa (Inspiring a New Generation of Igbo Leaders), organized by the Center for Memories as part of the event to mark International Youth Day.

According to Okenwa, “The emerging generation of Igbo leaders must sustain the culture of adaptation anywhere in the world, while not settling for mere hustling”.

He urged the youths not to allow the distractions of a few detractors to deny Igbo the much-needed political emergence, emphasizing the importance of adopting politics as a key strategy to prevent a recurrence of genocidal threats.

He highlighted a few areas where Igbo have excelled, including entrepreneurship, trade, resilience, and liberalism; and encouraged the youths to build on these strengths.

“Igbo youths need to rise to the challenge of sustaining the entrepreneurial spirit. I have often wondered where this generation of Elumelus, Innosons, Okonjos, and Onyemas is from.

“The first step to achieving anything significant in life starts with a compelling vision that says it is possible. I have yet to see a student who never dreamed of earning a first-class degree achieve that by luck.

“The first call today is to study the lives of men and women whose remarkable entrepreneurial impact transcends the shores of Africa. The second call is to revamp and reintegrate the Igba Boi Model (apprenticeship) in a structured and sustainable manner. The wealth of experience our elders possess must be passed on to the young people of Igbo land.

“Although the Igbo are renowned for trade, with business names such as ‘Emeka and Sons,’ the lack of sustainability has always been a challenge. The emerging generation of Igbo leaders must focus on sustainability. Igbo trade models can sometimes lead to unhealthy competition rather than collaboration. Emerging leaders must consider partnerships, corporations, synergy, and teamwork.

“Yes, we are resilient, but that should not always confine us to being at the receiving end. Igbo must rise to the challenge of sitting at policy tables to sponsor policies that favor our fortunes. To that end, young Igbo must learn to be proactive and assertive, mastering the art of negotiation.

“It is sad to note that in today’s Nigeria, many Igbo youths hide their Igbo names to avoid being victimized by their compatriots. But that should never be the case. Assertiveness can earn one the well-deserved respect as equal stakeholders in the Nigerian project”.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Center for Memories, Iheanyi Igboko, said the center has focused on documenting and preserving the past to serve as history for the new generation.

He noted that “Nchawaputa is a program for youths to learn, build capacity, and interact regarding the leadership process”.

Hacey Health lectures pregnant women on maternal mortality

•Nigeria has one of highest mortality rates in the world

By Ugochukwu Alaribe & Steve Oko

ABA—IN a bid to reduce the

high rate of maternal mortality put at 512 deaths per 1,000 live births in Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organization, Hacey Health Initiative,  organized a workshop to sensitize pregnant women on the dangers of the menace.   

Speaking at the workshop with the theme, “Project Agbebi, improving maternal health outcomes” held at the Aba South Health Authority office, Aba, the Programme Officer,  of the group, Bamidele Oyewumi, explained that maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman while pregnant, during delivery, or within 42 days after delivery, excluding deaths caused by accidents or violence.

He disclosed that “Project Agbebi” aims to reduce the maternal mortality rate by 15%, stressing that the project has reached over 30,000 pregnant women in 200 primary health care centers, and PHCs, in 42 council areas, across 18 states in Nigeria. 

Oyewumi explained that the neo-natal mortality rate in Nigeria is 39 deaths per 1,000 live births, which means that nearly 4 out of every 100 newborn babies in Nigeria do not survive their first month of life.

The program officer further disclosed that maternal mortality and neo-natal mortality rates are crucial health indicators that reflect the overall quality of a country’s healthcare system and the well-being of its women.

In his words: “The project has a primary goal of reducing maternal mortality by improving access to safe and essential birthing kits, empowering women to make informed health and financial decisions, and fostering communal support for pregnant women. 

“In Nigeria, the maternal mortality rate remains alarmingly high, with a significant gap in achieving the global target of reducing maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.  According to the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2018, the maternal mortality ratio, MMR, in Nigeria is 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is one of the highest rates in the world. 

“In addition, the neonatal mortality rate is 39 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that nearly 4 out of every 100 newborn babies in Nigeria do not survive their first month of life. This is not surprising as the death of the mother and the mother’s lack of access to health care can also have a devastating impact on the health and survival of her newborn baby”. 

He attributed the high rates of maternal and neonatal deaths in Nigeria to three factors; delay in deciding to seek maternal healthcare, delay in locating and arriving at a medical facility, and delay in receiving skilled pregnancy care upon arrival at the health facility, especially in the rural areas.

“When a woman does decide to seek care, she may encounter challenges in locating a suitable healthcare facility, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is often limited. Even if a facility is located, delays in receiving skilled pregnancy care can occur due to shortages of trained health workers, inadequate equipment and supplies, and poor quality of care. 

“HACEY has developed “Project Agbebi” as a response to some of the maternal health delays to improve maternal health outcomes in Nigeria.

“Project Agbebi addresses critical gaps in maternal healthcare delivery in Nigeria, aiming to significantly reduce the high maternal mortality rate and improve maternal health outcomes. The project targets the root causes of maternal death and implementing a multifaceted approach, including community-based support groups, health and financial literacy training, provision of birthing kits, and media awareness campaigns”.

Speaking at the workshop, Health Authority Secretary, Aba South Council area, Mrs. Glory Nnennaya Okwara, sensitized the pregnant women and nursing mothers on how to take care of themselves and their babies.

She also taught the type of food to take and charged nursing mothers to embark on exclusive breastfeeding of their babies for six months before introducing alternative foods.

A pregnant lady, Brenda Onyeibe, commended the Hacey health initiative for the workshop which she said has enlightened them on how to care for themselves and their babies.

UNIZIK VC race: Medical school shut as lecturers protest alleged non-inclusion

By Vincent Ujumadu

Awka—THE medical school

of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi is still shut as the lecturers insist on not returning to lecture halls unless their members are included in the race for the appointment of the next Vice Chancellor of the institution.

The strike by the clinical lecturers, who are members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), is seriously threatening the graduation of the final-year students, some of who said they have spent eight years studying medicine.

Their grouse is that an advertisement to fill the vacant VC position shut out their members because of the requirement that prospective candidates must possess a PhD. According to the doctors, their Fellowships in various branches of medicine are equivalent to a PhD, adding that many of them have been professors for decades.

The striking lecturers had, on August 2nd, 2024, written to the Ag. Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Carol Arinze-Umeobi to protest the advertisement for the position of Vice Chancellor, which they alleged excluded their members from vying.

Following the failure of the governing council of the university to act on their complaint, the medical professors and consultants withdrew their services, which entered the 12th day on Monday.

Secretary of MDCAN, Dr. Sunday Oriji, told reporters on Monday that the medical college of the institution will remain crippled until the university’s management does the right thing.

He said: “The acting Vice-Chancellor is a seasoned lawyer, and we know she will do what is right. We duly notified them of our moves before we embarked on the strike.

“Our congress observed that the advert required that an applicant for the position of Vice Chancellor of NAU must possess a first degree, Master’s degree, and a PhD. The academic pathway of the clinical lecturers, in NAU and globally, does not fit into that. 

“The advert deliberately excludes all of our members in the faculties of Medicine and Basic Clinical sciences. It is a complete deviation from similar adverts in the past for the position.

“We have duly notified the relevant bodies and offices of our withdrawal of services, and that will continue until the university’s management does what is right.”