On Tuesday 19th of November, 2019, Igbo Center, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, organized a special seminar on ICHO MMA UMU AGBOGHO NA NKWADOBE ILU DI N’ALA IGBO, meaning ‘’Beatification of the Igbo Girls in Preparation for Possible Marriage” in English. The colorful occasion which had a good turnout of staff and students at the AE-FUNAI Igbo “Village” was graced by Prof. R.C. Ejiaga, Dean Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Onyinyechi Anne Nwankwo, Head of Department of Languages and Linguistics, Dr. Mrs Ifeoma Nwaeze, Director Igbo Center, Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye, Prof. M.C. Onukawa and Dr. Chinwe Okolo, all of the Department of Languages and Linguistics, among others.


Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Ejiaga in warm hand shake with Prof. Onukawa

In her key note presentation, Dr. Onyinyechi Anne Nwankwo pointed out that beautifying a girl in the past was aimed at informing the public that the girl was ripe and ready for marriage, remarking that most females these days lack sense of beautification and shouldn’t be blamed because parents and guardians have failed to take out time to teach children the difference between taking care of themselves to appear beautiful and making-up. According to her, the correct sense of beautification in our institutions of learning is yet to be achieved, nevertheless could be inculcated on our daughters.


Director Igbo Centre, and host, DrMrs Ifeoma Nwaeze, making opening remarks


Dr. Mrs. Onyinyechi Nwankwo, making key note presentation

Dr. Nwankwo advocated that it behooves on each Igbo indigene to make effort to revive our cultural values which endowed children of the older generation with the appropriate dispositions to face tomorrow’s challenges better equipped. She further called on Igbo scientists and researchers to make efforts in finding out the components of natural beautification, such as Uhie, Odo and Nzu, (Igbo traditional colour chalks) to help repackage them to meet the taste of the present generation. She thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba for giving AE-FUNAI an Igbo Center, adding that his decision and commitment to building a befitting Centre for Igbo Language and culture is a right step in the right direction.


Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye, speaking at the event

Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye in her presentation, focused on character breeding in young girls and stated without mincing words that AE-FUNAI is the right institution where students have rare opportunity to imbibe good character, pointing out that it is necessary for a girl child to acquire virtues like respect, discipline and good sense of morality, because they are the future mothers and would soon be charged with the responsibility of raising their own children.

Dr. Chinwe Okolo, who gave vote of thanks, appreciated VC, Prof. Nwajiuba once again, for creating Igbo Center in AE-FUNAI, saying the center is aimed at encouraging good Igbo cultural practices in the University and our communities.

The event was spiced up with variety of Igbo cultural dances by students of Languages and Linguistics departments.


Cross section of University Officers at the event


Some of the participants in Group photograph


Students showcasing the Igbo cultural dance