Obi tasks Ndigbo on dying culture

Ndigbo and custodians of Igbo culture and tradition have been charged to join the battle to save the culture and tradition of the race, believed to be on the verge of extinction.

Also, Anambra State government is to hold the first ever government-sponsored Christmas carnival in a bid to raise the consciousness of Igbo people on the looming danger.

At the just concluded Anambra Cultural Carnival, which is a prelude to the Abuja Carnival this year, the Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, said: “This is just for us to organize and be able to go to Abuja. The contingents of Anambra State have continued to improve annually. We are going to organize a Christmas festival so that when our people come back, they would be able to appreciate what we are doing to our culture.

“We chose the period when the rains are over to organize this festival because by that time they would have finished farming and they would be able to spend time together, share ideas and appreciate our culture.   
“I use this opportunity to call on other governors, traditional rulers and custodians of Igbo culture to emulate what Anambra State has done so far.”

Also, the monarch of Nnewi town in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, lamented that “what is happening today is the pathetic fact that Ndigbo are fast losing their cultural heritage. The advent of the white man’s culture does not mean that we should abandon our roots and our heritage.
“But I am glad that people like Professor Pita Ejiofor of “Subakwa-Igbo” organization and others have commenced this campaign to save our language and our culture in general and I urge town union leaders and my fellow traditional rulers to join hands in saving the Igbo culture.”

  According to Chief Dubem Obaze, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Chief Maja Umeh, Commissioner for Information and Culture who jointly organized the carnival, “What we are doing is not just to showcase Igbo culture and tradition but to also make it a material for export to the outside world.
“Anambra is not known for crime as people think, we are peace-loving people and by what you saw today. It goes to prove that the administration of Governor Peter Obi is at the fore front of restoring the past glories, respect and dignity of Ndigbo and that is just what we are doing.”

Director of Information in the ministry, Mr. Godwin Uchechukwu Nwofor, explained that “If you look around you here, the array of cultural activities shows that Anambra State is very much prepared. Last year, I led the carnival team and we were able to win three medals. Two silver, one bronze in masquerade and such other categories. This year, we are aiming at being able to get a gold.”

http://www.independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=23426

It is our duty as Igbos to preserve our culture for future generations.

Though there has been an on going alarm for the preservation of Igbo culture. But the efforts made by Ndigbo in Nigeria and diaspora in promoting Igbo culture must be appreciated.
I have a copy of Amb Uwaechue's inaugural speech which was rendered in Igbo language. Ndigbo in America have built Igbo village in America.
Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in South Africa is building an Igbo cultural centre in Durban. Ndigbo in Ireland are about to do the same.
In the U.K, Igbo language is now considered as one of the languages spoken in the U.K. Thanks to Igbo Youths U.K (ICSN) and Ndigbo katolic U.K.

In addition, The Igbo Youths U.K (icsn) has established an Igbo class which runs every monday evening. The attendance is very large and awesome. The teachers are qualified Igbo language graduates and we pay for their services.

Ndigbo in America has concluded an arrangement for a dept of Igbo language in Havard by 2012. Also, Yale University runs an Igbo course online.

Promoting Igbo culture in the U.K. Enjoy photographs.