Obi Unfolds Measures to Revive Igbo Language
05.28.2010

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, has rolled out comprehensive measures aimed at keeping Igbo Language alive among other languages.

Speaking at the launch of Suwakwa Igbo at the Women Development Centre, Awka, he called on the Igbos to love themselves, their culture and language for their sustenance as a people.

During the ceremony, Obi announced, among others, annual award of N200,000, N250,000, and N100,000 to the three best Igbo students in Secondary Schools in Nigeria.

He also gave cash donations and scholarships (university) to the two best Igbo students in the West African School Certificate Examinations, WASCE – Mr. Kevin Anozie of Holy Child Secondary School, Isuofia and Mr. Chika Echeta of Bishop Onyemelukwe Secondary School Onitsha.

The governor also, during the ceremony, signed into law, a Bill to Enforce the Speaking and Writing of Igbo and Widespread Usage of Igbo Language among Ndigbo in Anambra and Diaspora.
He explained that the law would be enforced and announced the stoppage of giving corporal punishment to students, who speak Igbo in schools in the state.

He also announced that Igbo Language would henceforth be compulsory in all the categories of educational institutions in the state just as English and Mathematics are even as he disclosed that he will send a bill that will make it mandatory for Igbo people to be employed in the state, as a matter of law, must pass Igbo Language.

Obi also announced the building of Chief Ogbalu Igbo Language School at the cost of N50.5 million, for specialised and holiday programmes in Igbo. Alhough he said the money was not in the state budget 2010, but that he would use his contacts to get institutions to help to complete it after having paid mobilization to the contractor.

He named Prof. Pita Ejiofor to chair a five-man committee to work out modalities that will guide the measures to revive the Igbo language.
The leader of Suwakwa Igbo, Prof. Pita Ejiofor thanked the governor for his interest in Igbo cause. Using statistics, proved that Igbo Language is retrogressing and insisted that only Igbos will stop the retrogression.

The President of Ohaneze Worldwide, Amb. Ralph. Uwachue, represented by Dr. Atamuo thanked the governor for his commitment to Igbo cause and the able way he pilots the affairs of the state and asked him to appeal to his brother governors, as the Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum to follow his footstep.

The occasion was chaired by Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe. Over 70 traditional rulers attended, among others from different walks of life

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=174345

He also gave cash donations and scholarships (university) to the two best Igbo students in the West African School Certificate Examinations, WASCE – Mr. Kevin Anozie of Holy Child Secondary School, Isuofia and Mr. Chika Echeta of Bishop Onyemelukwe Secondary School Onitsha.

The governor also, during the ceremony, signed into law, a Bill to Enforce the Speaking and Writing of Igbo and Widespread Usage of Igbo Language among Ndigbo in Anambra and Diaspora.
He explained that the law would be enforced and announced the stoppage of giving corporal punishment to students, who speak Igbo in schools in the state.

Do they still do that?Man na wa for colomentality.

Hmph. . . are they just now waking up? Anyway, this is all school Igbo, so meh. . . maybe it'll make parents wake up once they start seeing their kids speaking something other than their lects. Anyway, I won't clap for this until I see reasonable results.

ChinenyeN:

Hmph. . . are they just now waking up? Anyway, this is all school Igbo, so meh. . . maybe it'll make parents wake up once they start seeing their kids speaking something other than their lects. Anyway, I won't clap for this until I see reasonable results.

Whatdo you mean by the bolded?

Well, I don't know of any groups or people that don't want to preserve their lects. So I'm thinking that this may give some lazy/unwilling parents an incentive. I'm curious about how they plan on applying this to the diaspora though. . .

Anyway, it could only be Anambra people that would attempt something this large scale. . makes me wonder sometimes. . . .

The six Igbo governors as well as the senator representing Delta North should implement this sensational idea in their regions.

ChinenyeN:

Well, I don't know of any groups or people that don't want to preserve their lects. So I'm thinking that this may give some lazy/unwilling parents an incentive. I'm curious about how they plan on applying this to the diaspora though. . .

Anyway, it could only be Anambra people that would attempt something this large scale. . makes me wonder sometimes. . . .

The truth of the matter is that normally parents should not need any incentive to speak their language to their kids.There is nothing much a govt can do other than things like these.

Can you elaborate on the bolded.

It's just the way they behave as a group. I can't remember coming across many non-Anambra based person/group who shows as much "Igbo initiative" as Anambra people, in general. Most non-Anambra based people/groups I've come in contact with seem typically concerned with their own. Then there's the aspect of them speaking as if they're the 'Voice of Igbo'. . . It just makes me wonder sometimes about their mentality. . . maybe they feel they're special. . *shrug*

This is so GREAT! I can't wait to see when it'll become compulsory to pass Igbo language at a "Credit" level before one is promoted to another class just like English and Maths.

ChinenyeN:

It's just the way they behave as a group. I can't remember coming across many non-Anambra based person/group who shows as much "Igbo initiative" as Anambra people, in general. Most non-Anambra based people/groups I've come in contact with seem typically concerned with their own. Then there's the aspect of them speaking as if they're the 'Voice of Igbo'. . . It just makes me wonder sometimes about their mentality. . . maybe they feel they're special. . *shrug*

This is why some see Anambra as the litmus test for anything that could be possible in Alaigbo. Those that hate Igbos, like OBJ, target Anambra to disrupt the progress of Ndi Igbo but they failed to realize that Abia people are at the forefront as well.

ChinenyeN:

It's just the way they behave as a group. I can't remember coming across many non-Anambra based person/group who shows as much "Igbo initiative" as Anambra people, in general. Most non-Anambra based people/groups I've come in contact with seem typically concerned with their own. Then there's the aspect of them speaking as if they're the 'Voice of Igbo'. . . It just makes me wonder sometimes about their mentality. . . maybe they feel they're special. . *shrug*

I do know where you are coming from.However if they decide to do something about the decline of igbo language in their domain then so be it.Okay what have the so called other igbo states done to stem the tide?Absolutely nothing.If it needs the anambra people to start this then so be it.I am not complaining despite the fact that i am not from there.If for anything guys from there speak the lect or language more than people from other igbo states who are more interested in speaking english.

006:

This is why some see Anambra as the litmus test for anything that could be possible in Alaigbo. Those that hate Igbos, like OBJ, target Anambra to disrupt the progress of Ndi Igbo but they failed to realize that Abia people are at the forefront as well.

Oh well. It is what it is.

asha 80:

I do know where you are coming from.However if they decide to do something about the decline of igbo language in their domain then so be it.Okay what have the so called other igbo states done to stem the tide?Absolutely nothing.If it needs the anambra people to start this then so be it.I am not complaining despite the fact that i am not from there.If for anything guys from there speak the lect or language more than people from other igbo states who are more interested in speaking english.

Of course, they can by all means decide to do that. I have no problem with it, so long as they stay in their domain. As for the other Igbo states, I don't know what their issue is, and that's why I said that this could give them the incentive necessary, at least to preserve their own respective lects.

ChinenyeN:

Oh well. It is what it is.
Of course, they can by all means decide to do that. I have no problem with it, so long as they stay in their domain. As for the other Igbo states, I don't know what their issue is, and that's why I said that this could give them the incentive necessary, at least to preserve their own respective lects.

My guy you like taking things too far.Try and get hold of yourself.Did they ever say they are going to intrude on others .In fact you really need to come to nigeria and stay for a while and not assume things in your mind.I just hope you are no suffering from paranoia.

As for other states apart from enugu i doubt if any other states is interested in that.You should be worried that Abia state or Ngwa associations have done nada about these instead of funny ideas that anambra might impose their dialect ot whatever on other states.

No paranoia. No funny ideas. I simply just don't care enough for that. I just like observing and making my side comments and preferential statements, and people make too much of them. Anyway, this initiative took too long to come about. The Igbo in general don't seem to care enough, and finally deciding to wake up now isn't worth me clapping. Can and will this initiative be maintained? Can and will Igbo be made relevant again? Are my only questions.

ChinenyeN:

No paranoia. No funny ideas. I simply just don't care enough for that. I just like observing and making my side comments and preferential statements, and people make too much of them. Anyway, this initiative took too long to come about. The Igbo in general don't seem to care enough, and finally deciding to wake up now isn't worth me clapping. Can and will this initiative be maintained? Can and will Igbo be made relevant again? Are my only questions.

Anambra state have made a step.Whether it is sustained is left for them to do.Other states in igboland can continue the 'i do not care attitude'.

Okay, so we've both been observing the same thing. I guess it means we're more or less on the same page.

ChinenyeN:

Okay, so we've both been observing the same thing. I guess it means we're more or less on the same page.

Well you made it look like anambra doing this is like they are trying to prove that they are more igbo than others and also like they should remain in their territory as _{if they are doing it for every igbo person}.

I just wish this can be done in other states but my experience is that the likely hood of it happening is extremely low.

Also the the main people to solve this issue are parents and so called subgroup cultural organisations.There is not a lot govt can do about this unless our educational system is thoroughly overhauled and subjects taught in our indivdual languages.

Sometimes i am even suprised that igbo is still being spoken.

asha 80:

Well you made it look like anambra doing this is like they are trying to prove that they are more igbo than others and also like they should remain in their territory as _{if they are doing it for every igbo person}.

Oh okay. I guess I can see how it seems that way, now.

asha 80:

I just wish this can be done in other states but my experience is that the likely hood of it happening is extremely low.

Also the the main people to solve this issue are parents and so called subgroup cultural organisations.There is not a lot govt can do about this unless our educational system is thoroughly overhauled and subjects taught in our indivdual languages.

Sometimes i am even suprised that igbo is still being spoken.

Regarding the bolded, I know exactly what you mean. As for the initiatives being taken by the states. . . I don't know what I think about that, but I do know that I'd be more interested in learning that group associations/parents have taken initiatives to preserve and maintain their respective lects. To me, that's where it should all start, and I also agree with you about your comment on gov't limitations. But. . . to thoroughly overhaul the educational system, Igbo would have to be relevant. Which now puts us back to square one (the parents/homes/socio-cultural/political associations). Oh well. It is what it is. I hear that a lot of youth in diaspora are showing interest and trying to make an effort, but again, the parents are really being that helpful (from what I hear).

ChinenyeN:

Oh well. It is what it is.
Of course, they can by all means decide to do that. I have no problem with it, so long as they stay in their domain. As for the other Igbo states, I don't know what their issue is, and that's why I said that this could give them the incentive necessary, at least to preserve their own respective lects.

It might be interesting to know that the Igbo that’s taught in both Anambra and Enugu States ( I schooled in both States) is Igbo Izugbe which is neither Enugu nor Anambra, but Imo. For instance, the negative “ghi” is used instead of “ro” as in “Amaghi m” and “Amaro m” (I don’t know); and if you write “ro” in a test, the teacher will fail you.

As for me, my Igbo is Enugu “street Igbo” which to me should be the actual Igbo Izugbe because every Igbo clan live there and Enugu was the former capital of Eastern region. It is entirely different from the dialects spoken by neighbouring Nike, Udi and Nkanu which shows that the language actually evolved. It is not that different from that spoken in Onitsha but Onitsha “street Igbo” is filled with slangs which we tend to copy in Enugu. Also, it is not different from the one I heard group of Igbos spoke in Kaduna and Lagos.

I’m not quite sure of the similarities it has with Aba and Owerri “street Igbo”.

006:

It might be interesting to know that the Igbo that’s taught in both Anambra and Enugu States ( I schooled in both States) is Igbo Izugbe which is neither Enugu nor Anambra, but Imo. For instance, the negative “ghi” is used instead of “ro” as in “Amaghi m” and “Amaro m” (I don’t know); and if you write “ro” in a test, the teacher will fail you.

Oh okay. Well, if that's how they want to do it, then okay, I guess. . .

Another method would be to petition for international school to have Igbo as a African Language course.
I was losing touch with yoruba, took 2 semesters of it, and now I'm back on track. . . .

006:

It might be interesting to know that the Igbo that’s taught in both Anambra and Enugu States ( I schooled in both States) is Igbo Izugbe which is neither Enugu nor Anambra, but Imo. For instance, the negative “ghi” is used instead of “ro” as in “Amaghi m” and “Amaro m” (I don’t know); and if you write “ro” in a test, the teacher will fail you.

As for me, my Igbo is Enugu “street Igbo” which to me should be the actual Igbo Izugbe because every Igbo clan live there and Enugu was the former capital of Eastern region. It is entirely different from the dialects spoken by neighbouring Nike, Udi and Nkanu which shows that the language actually evolved. It is not that different from that spoken in Onitsha but Onitsha “street Igbo” is filled with slangs which we tend to copy in Enugu. Also, it is not different from the one I heard group of Igbos spoke in Kaduna and Lagos.

I’m not quite sure of the similarities it has with Aba and Owerri “street Igbo”.

lol@ ''street igbo''.actually aba and owerri igbo is different from onitsha and enugu.the important thing is that both can be understood by every igbo speaker regardless of dialect.

FL Gators:

Another method would be to petition for international school to have Igbo as a African Language course.
I was losing touch with yoruba, took 2 semesters of it, and now I'm back on track. . . .

That's a good idea.

asha 80:

Obi Unfolds Measures to Revive Igbo Language
05.28.2010

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, has rolled out comprehensive measures aimed at keeping Igbo Language alive among other languages.

During the ceremony, Obi announced, among others, annual award of N200,000, N250,000, and N100,000 to the three best Igbo students in Secondary Schools in Nigeria.

He also gave cash donations and scholarships (university) to the two best Igbo students in the West African School Certificate Examinations,

The mumu don leave the bad roads wey im suppose repair na money im dey share.
Who talk say Igbo language no dey alive?

Good move by Obi. Leadership is not just about tarring roads.

cantell:

The mumu don leave the bad roads wey im suppose repair na money im dey share.
Who talk say Igbo language no dey alive?

Igbo language is relatively alive but dying gradually. We need such steps to revive the use of the language.

Actually i don't think Igbos in the east have any problems with Igbo. It's those that are in other parts of Nigeria that are paying leap service to learning Igbo language.

Scrap igbo language and introduce yoruba language, roflmao,afterall most igbo understand yoruba language than igbo

~Bluetooth:

Scrap igbo language and introduce yoruba language, roflmao,afterall most igbo understand yoruba language than igbo

Really?

~Bluetooth:


Scrap igbo language and introduce yoruba language, roflmao,afterall most igbo understand yoruba language than igbo

Another Idiot, You think Igbo is Idoma.

~Bluetooth:


Scrap igbo language and introduce yoruba language, roflmao,afterall most igbo understand yoruba language than igbo

You are the biggest or the second biggest scumbag nairaland has ever known. How can a big f.ool like you suggest that a language that is spoken by 40 million Nigerians and 50 million worldwide be substuted for another language. Why must an i.diot like you be dancing when music is not played.

afam4eva:

Another Idiot, You think Igbo is Idoma.

igbo is gradually being eroded and you all know that.hardly can you see a teenager especially females speaking igbo instead would resort to english.

~Bluetooth:

igbo is gradually being eroded and you all know that.hardly can you see a teenager especially females speaking igbo instead would resort to english.

The same thing applies to Yoruba. The Yorubas have to be involved in this race. In the Yoruba films, at home, in offices and on the streets, what you understand they speak all the time is Yorunglish. You must be sent to Aro if you deny this basic fact.

~Bluetooth:

igbo is gradually being eroded and you all know that.hardly can you see a teenager especially females speaking igbo instead would resort to english.

I am staying in lagos now and numerous yoruba kids and teenagers i see in my neighbourhd actually see yoruba speaking as toutish and local so they resort to english.