In a bid to safeguard the Igbo language from extinction, the Abia State government in Nigeria has announced plans to make it a compulsory subject in its curriculum.
Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu made this announcement while attending the final day of the Igbo-themed competition, Ekere Mgba Akpauche, organized by the Catholic Diocese of Aba.
Emetu emphasized the importance of reviving the Igbo language, stating that “the new Abia is interested in reviving Igbo language by trying to see how we will make Igbo compulsory in the curriculum.”
He also called on the South-East Governors to prioritize the language and make it compulsory at all levels of education.
The Deputy Governor lamented that the Igbo language has been overshadowed by English, confirming predictions of its possible extinction.
He commended the Catholic Diocese of Aba and other organizations for their efforts in revitalizing the language but criticized Igbo parents for neglecting its use at home.
Bishop Rt Rev Augustine Echema, in his welcome address, praised the state government’s support and commended Rev. Fr. Onyinye Anaeto for initiating the Igbo-themed program.
It is also in line with the federal government’s language policy, which makes Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba compulsory subjects in all federal government secondary schools.
Igbo Language
Igbo, also known as Ibo, is a Niger-Congo language spoken by the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria.
It is one of the three main languages of Nigeria, along with Hausa and Yoruba. Igbo is a tonal language, which means that the pitch or tone of a word affects its meaning.
It is also an agglutinative language, which means that words are formed by adding prefixes and suffixes to roots.
Igbo language has a rich cultural and historical significance, and it is an important part of Igbo identity. It is spoken by approximately 25-30 million people in Nigeria and around the world.
There are several dialects of Igbo, including Central Igbo, Northern Igbo, Southern Igbo, Rivers Igbo, and Delta Igbo.
Igbo language is also known for its proverbs, idioms, and sayings, which are used to convey wisdom, cultural values, and traditions.
