Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, has pledged that the assembly would continue to promote and support Igbo language and culture to ensure its sustainability and for posterity.
Ugwu gave the assurance on Tuesday during an event to commemorate International Mother Language Day 2025 in Enugu organised by Igbo Efula, an indigenous NGO promoting Igbo language and culture.
He said, “we all have a duty to teach our children (the next generation of Ndigbo), the Igbo language, culture and our rich heritage as Igbo people.
“I am glad to see secondary school students participating in all Igbo promotion subjects/ideas here today.
“The Enugu State House of Assembly will continue to support and sustain all efforts aimed at promoting the Igbo language and culture for the benefit of children and to ensure it will never go extinct.”
The lawmaker commended Igbo Efula for its nationally acknowledged efforts towards the promotion of Igbo language, culture, heritage and more.
Corroborating, the Enugu state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, commended the organiser of the event – Igbo Efula – for steadily working for the promotion of Igbo language over the years.
“We all have a duty in ensuring that Igbo language grows and flourishes. However, parents have a big duty in ensuring that their children learn to speak Igbo from their homes,” she said.
Equally, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu (Ogadagidi), pledged the support of traditional rulers in promotion of Igbo language and culture as well as support of organisations promoting advancement of Igbo language.
The Chairman of the event, Prince Chukwuemeka Onyesoh (Oba Agbalanze), urged Igbo Efula to explore ways of working together with other organisations that equally have the goal of promoting Igbo language.
“I sincerely commend the organisers of this event – Igbo Efula – and urge all of us to take up the task of ensuring the promotion of Igbo language in our homes and localities,” he said.
Speaking, former Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, urged them to support Igbo Efula to ensure that their lofty and onerous task of reviving and promoting Igbo language is achieved.
Agubuzu, who is also Chairman, Board of Trustees of Igbo Efula, expressed his appreciation to all the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
In an opening address, Mazi Ikechukwu Oji, President, Igbo Efula, called for more emphasis to be placed on the younger generation realising why they must speak Igbo fluently without compulsion.
Oji urged various levels of government and other stakeholders to support the Igbo film and music language industry, as the surest way of promoting Igbo language.