CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Worried about the gradual extinction of Igbo culture and tradition especially the language, the Igbo traditional ruler a.k.a Ezendigbo of Ejigbo Kingdom, Eze Nicholas Njoku, has floated an Igbo language academy in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the new academy, known as Asusu Igbo Amaka, was unveiled at the Palace of Eze Njoku in Ejigbo area of Lagos State.
In attendance were the traditional ruler of Umuomaku town in Anambra State, Eze Livinus Obinna Ezenwa, the Managing Director of Pep & Pat Schools, Mushin, Chief Mrs. Perpetual Tugai (Ada Ndigbo), Chief Chris Onyebuchi (Aku atu egwu of Enugwu Ezike) and other dignitaries from other tribes. Youths from across Nigeria and the media were also in attendance.
Over hundred students were at the Palace to showcase what they have learnt from the academy since it was founded and expressed gratitude to the founder, Eze Njoku.
Speaking at the occasion, Eze Njoku explained that he founded the academy in 2022 because he was worried that many Igbo people, especially the children, cannot speak and write Igbo language because they do not have the opportunity to learn it.
He explained that it was not the fault of those children because their parents did not expose them to learn the language as some Igbo parents lived and grew up in the cities with their children.
Eze Njoku stated that the programme was dear to him because he does not want the Igbo language to go into extinction and he was doing everything possible to ensure that Igbo children write and speak the language in diaspora despite the fact that they cannot go back to their villages to learn it.
He stated that so far, he was satisfied with what he saw as the children present demonstrated that they were able to speak and write Igbo language and hopes to expand the academy to accommodate more children across the LCDAs in Lagos State.
He explained that he was offering the services free of charge because he is the sole sponsor of the academy and he will continue to do his best to ensure that many Igbo children benefit from the programme.
Eze Njoku explained that more needs to be done as regards the academy like buses for the students, welfare of the teachers and then teaching and learning materials for both the students and the teachers.
Njoku advised Igbo people across the world to work and ensure that Igbo language learning is impacted in their families so that the children will learn and not allow the language to go into extinction.
The traditional ruler of Umuomaku town, Igwe Ezenwa, commended Eze Njoku for what he has done to restore Igbo language by sponsoring the programme and stated that Njoku has demonstrated that he loves Igbo people including their culture and tradition. He gave royal blessings to the children at the event.
In the same vein, Chief Onyebuchi commended Eze Njoku for what he has done by sponsoring the academy singlehandedly because of his love for Ndigbo.
He promised to support the academy to ensure that the vision spreads across the State and beyond.