25th January, 2017
The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), a social cultural organisation, has appealed to governors and other stakeholders to promote the study of Igbo language.
President of the forum, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, who spoke on Wednesday in Enugu, stressed that Igbo language should be saved from gradual extinction.
Chukwudum said that it was disturbing that Igbo textbooks and literature were fast disappearing from libraries and bookshops.
He said that most authors of Igbo textbooks and literature had diminished or had fully converted to be English authors.
“I appeal to governors in the South-East and South-South regions to formulate policies that will revive Igbo culture especially our gradually dying language.
“Stakeholders in Igbo leadership as well as groups should come to the rescue of our language before we lose it while pursuing westernised culture.
“Everybody should encourage everything that promotes speaking and writing of Igbo language in order for us to retain our identity among the younger generation,’’ he said.
Chukwudum, however, called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to adopt Igbo language as one of the endangered languages that needed its funding.
Membership of the forum is drawn from Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states.