Why we’re reviving Igbo language, culture – Nwankwo

On Tuesday March 15, the Odumegwu  Ojukwu Centre, Owerri, Imo State, will see milieu of activities as it host a one day conference on Igbo language and culture. The coming cultural fiesta  of the people also fete eminent personalities and lovers of Igbo culture, as well as see the launch of first indigenous Igbo language Newspaper “Ikoro”

Dr. Samfo Nwankwo, Special Adviser to Governor Rochas Okorocha on Igbo Affairs and Director General of the Centre explains this and more in what he describes as a general plan of sensitizing  Nigerians and international community on the preservation of Igbo culture with Okay Osuji

May we know you and your portfolio?

I am Dr. Samfo Nwankwo, Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Igbo Affairs and DG Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu Centre, Owerri.

What are your duties?

My duties are twofold. The first is to advise the governor on Igbo affairs. That is to say we articulate Igbo interest, advance Igbo unity and harness the qualities that make the Igbo tick and then put them forward to Nigerians and ensure that all the indices our people are known for are retained.  We want to have a common agenda for the Igbo so they can come together and not dissipate their energy fighting one another. We want to hold on and reinforce the concept of “united we stand, divided we fall”.

The other duty is the running of the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre.  It is a centre named after the fallen hero and great Icon of the Igbo race. We essentially embark on intellectual harvest. The place is designed to hold seminars, colloquiums and workshops stating clearly the ideology and what Ojukwu stood for all his years on earth, both as military General, Head of State and politician.

Being a new portfolio are Imo people feeling the impact?

Definitely, they are already feeling our impact.

How?

I am only two months in office, having been assigned the portfolio in late December 2015. Already, we have programmes scheduled for execution. One of the programmes is coming up on March 15, which has to do with the globalisation of the Igbo language. Very many Igbo are worried that the language may become extinct if nothing is done to save it.  Based on that, Governor Okorocha will be launching the compulsory learning of Igbo language in all schools across the state. At the same time, he will launch the maiden edition of the first all Igbo newspaper known as the Ikoro. These programmes will be launched under the chairmanship of Commodore Chief Ebitu Ukiwe(rtd) and other notable Igbo personalities. We are also expecting Igbo organisations in the Diaspora from the UK, USA, other European countries, including other traditional titleholders. If we do not revive the Igbo language, it would become extinct and with it the Igbo race.

Do you have any catchment area in view?

Yes. However, are starting with Imo State, while the other four South East states would follow suit.

What of other Igbo speaking people outside the South East

Do not forget that Igbo leaders in Delta and Rivers states are members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and have been playing very prominent roles in the advancement of the Igbo cause in Nigeria and all over the world.  We should note that only three weeks ago, Governor Rochas Okorocha brought peace to the Ohanaeze body. Before then, the organisation was split into two factions; one headed by Chief Igariwey and the other by Chief Ralph Obioha. Today, Ohanaeze has become a united body. We intend to carry the members along in our programmes and by extension our kiths and kin in Rivers and Delta states.

How are you going to publicise your programmes?

That is what we are doing through your publication. Your media would help inform the public of our programmes and projects. Also, the soon to be launched “Ikoro” newspaper which will be a weekly would help disseminate information on our activities.  Before, now we had the Holy Bible in Igbo language. What happened to those bibles and books in the native language? It is time we go back to basics and speak the Igbo language within the group and to our children.

How do intend getting the Igbo in Diaspora to speak the language?

I wish to inform you that Igbo speaking people in the USA, UK and other major countries of the world have embraced the programme.  They see it as a project they can invest their time and resources in. Currently, those living overseas pay exorbitant fees to recruit Igbo instructors to teach their children. This is because the medium of instructions in those places is English or the local language. The Igbo parents have to seek out competent Igbo teachers within the local environment to instruct their children at home. With our  programme, we intend  to get central facilities  where they can take their wards at weekends for the teaching and study of  the Igbo language. Also, the programme envisages sending competent Igbo language teachers from Nigeria to countries with high concentration of Igbo people to teach their children.

Are you building schools in those places?

Not necessarily. We are planning to hire facilities that would be easily accessible to those who will come to learn the language. Our main purpose is to teach our people in those countries and offer employment to Igbo language instructors.

Is the Odumegwu Ojukwu Library part of the project?

It is not. The Ojukwu library is a private initiative by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.  Ours is a complex built by the state government in honour of the late Ikemba Nnewi. In our own facility, a lot of academic work will take place there. It is a place where intellectuals will come and espouse the learning of the ideology and what the Igbo stand for.

How about attracting international attention and recognition?

We will embark on contacting international institutions to collaborate with them. In return, they would assist in academic and research works for the centre.

On immortalising late Odumegwu Ojukwu through annual prize and lectures?

That is the whole essence of the centre.

How do you ensure continuity after the Okorocha administration?

We should not lose sight of the fact that popular and populist ideas do outlive their originators. For example, did anyone give free education any chance in Imo State? Today, it has come to stay. Therefore, anyone succeeding Rochas Okorocha must ensure that the programme to immortalise the late Odumegwu Ojukwu continues. The project is beyond partisan politics. It is all about the Igbo nation.