The Abia State branch of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide supports the state government’s choice to make it mandatory for all schools in the state to teach and learn the Igbo language.
The Nation says that the support came during a larger meeting of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo state executive council and the union’s chairmen from the 17 local government areas of Abia State.
Ohanaeze claimed that the policy is in line with its main goals, which include protecting and promoting the Igbo language and culture.
The group also asked parents to help the government by speaking Igbo at home with their kids so the language doesn’t die out.
“As a group dedicated to promoting the Igbo language, we don’t want our language to die out.” We want our people to be able to read, write, and speak Igbo.
“Our culture is very important because it defines who we are.” The union said, “If we give up our culture, we give up our heritage, and that’s not what we want.”
The group said that Governor Alex Otti’s decision to make teaching Igbo in nursery and primary schools required is in line with one of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s main goals.
Ohanaeze asked parents to encourage their children to speak their mother tongue instead of just English, saying that some Igbo parents are becoming more and more interested in having their children speak only English.
“A people without culture is in danger of being extinct. We want to be proud of our culture and spread it. The union said, “These are the values that Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands for, and these are the paths we want to promote in Abia State.”
Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Abia State, also asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his power of mercy to free Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is now in jail.
He said to reporters, “Ohanaeze cares a lot about the Nnamdi Kanu case.” I remember our meeting in Awka on Igbo Day, when the National President made it plain that the Nnamdi Kanu situation should be settled through political negotiations. That was before he was found guilty.
“Even though he has been found guilty, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is still asking for him to be pardoned. We, the Abia State chapter, are asking our beloved President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to kindly give Nnamdi Kanu a presidential pardon.
He also said that Otti had already gone to see Kanu in prison and promised that work was still being done to find political and legal ways to free him.
Dr. Okwuonu also said he was worried that not many Igbos, including Abians, were taking part in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process.
“Recent numbers show that not all Igbos, including Abians, are taking part in the voter registration process.” This is a duty as a citizen.
“When we want something in Nigeria, there is a process, and registering to vote is one of those processes.” He stated, “Sadly, the Southeast is not doing well in this area.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo chapter in Abia State said it was still loyal to and supported the National President, Senator Azuka Mbata. It also praised Governor Otti for what it called the “giant strides” his administration had made in the past two years.
The organization says that better infrastructure, security, and governance have made the state more appealing to both investors and citizens.
It said, “We can see that the governor is making great progress.” The administration has made the roads better and the environment more welcoming, which has made it simpler to get around Umuahia and other parts of the state.
“Ohanaeze wants to make it obvious that Abia State is quite safe. Any story that says otherwise should be ignored. “Abians are happy and safe in their state.”
The organization advised Nigerians and investors to think about moving to or doing business in Abia State, which they said is one of the safest states in the country.
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