Anambra Govt Holds Roundtable Discussion On Revival Of Igbo Culture
By Ifeyinwa Ogwo
In line with Gov. Chukwuma Soludo's agenda to promote the Igbo culture and revive its core values, the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism (MCET), has hosted a roundtable discussion with various stakeholders of the Citizenship Rights Directorate, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Youth wing, Film Village, Traditional Institute, others to talk about the revival of the Igbo culture and its core values.
The discussion, which was held at the Ministry's Conference Hall, Jerome Udoji's Secretariat, Awka focused on the need to preserve the Igbo language, revival of what the Igbo are known for which centered on respect for elders, hard work, brotherliness, investing in the state, honesty and the kindred system and to identify harmful practices that are not part of the Igbo culture.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner, Mr. Don Onyenji observed that the Igbo's core value system is gradually eroding and there is a strong need to revive it for the present generation to know the Igbo core values and pass it on to the next generation.
"What you do not pass on to the next generation shows you do not have it. We need to revive our core values to teach our children correctly about who we are and what we are known for and as well eradicate harmful practices that some of our youth engaged in which are not part of our culture," he said.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Jerome Ilokwu, expressed that the Igbo regalia and language should be maintained and preserved.
"Our regalia is very important and should be worn by our traditional institute to depict our unique culture because I have not seen any Hausa or the Yoruba traditional institute putting on the Igbo regalia."
Igwe Joseph Ajodo of Ukwalla community, ASATU Youth wing, Mr. Ken Okoli, and the Ministry Consultant, Chief Marcel Manafa said that parents should take it as a point of duty to teach their children the Igbo language at home.
"Our language is who we are and it is very wrong to teach your children the English language first before the Igbo language. If you go to meetings organized by the Yoruba or the Hausa or any of their establishments, you will hear them speak their languages but we the Igbo hardly speak our language in our meetings or establishments.
"As the light of the Nation, let's always show the light to others by promoting our language, unique culture, core values, and tradition to the world," they said.
The Director of Arts and Culture Department (MCET), Mrs. Chioma Ifediora, Head, of Citizenship Rights, Barr. Judith Mokwe, and the Director of Alkebulan Production (Film Village), Mrs. Chinyere Ozo-Okonmah stressed that the educational institutions and the media should be involved to promote and create awareness on the uniqueness of the Igbo culture and core values.
They also added that the family system should be looked into because a good family system breeds a better society.
*Ifeyinwa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
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