Sat. Feb 8th, 2025

From TCNEWS

In a bid to rejuvenate the Igbo language, the Catholic Church of Nigeria’s Aba Diocese has launched a competition titled “Ekeremgba Akpauche” for schools under its jurisdiction, of which about 16 schools participated.

The event, held at Christ the King Church CKC Cathedral in Aba, was graced by the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, who emphasized the state’s commitment to making Igbo language a compulsory part of the curriculum.

Engr. Emetu highlighted the importance of preserving Igbo as the primary language for trade and commerce across the five Eastern states, urging a shift in attitude among young Igbo people, particularly those in the diaspora. 

He praised the Catholic Diocese of Aba for its efforts in cultural revival, aligning with the state’s educational policies.

The Deputy Governor, who observed that Igbo, spoken by over 44 million people in Nigeria, faces challenges from the dominance of English, called for linguistic innovation and the integration of Igbo into educational syllabi, advocating for its inclusion in WAEC and NECO exams.

The Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Eche, expressed gratitude to Engr. Emetu for attending the event, which saw St. Paul Secondary School Aba Ukwu and St. Mary Major College Abayi Ariana Aba compete at the finals.

He urged the Igbo community to focus on cultural and linguistic development.

Rev. Fr. Onyinye Anaeto, the event’s initiator, shared insights from his international experiences, lamenting the lack of similar linguistic pride in Nigeria’s Southeast.

 He encouraged parents to prioritize Igbo as their children’s first language, fostering a sense of cultural identity and pride.

By NWAMARA

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