•International confab points roadmap for reviving Igbo studies
•UNN honours The Sun MD, Ukeh, Anakwenze, Otobeze, others
From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Despite the current Igbo renaissance across the world, scholars say that concerted effort must be made to revive, promote and preserve Igbo culture and traditions.
Discussion on the future direction and sustenance of the dying Igbo studies and cultural practices took the centre stage at the just-concluded International Conference on Igbo Studies organised by the Centre for Igbo Studies (CIS), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Council of Igbo States in Americas (CISA), Igbo World Assembly (IWA).
The week-long programme of activities brought together scholars, Igbo leaders, researchers, business moguls and industrial experts as well as other enthusiasts, under one roof to talk about Igbo language and culture in Nigeria and beyond.
Theme of the maiden hybrid conference was: “Re-imaging Igbo Studies in the 21st Century.” Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Charles Igwe, who declared the event open on Thursday, August 17, said that the institution established the Centre in 2014 to serve as a melting pot for all research, studies, investigations and information about various aspects of Igbo life.
Represented by Prof. Ijeoma Okeoji, former Director, Centre for Igbo Studies, the VC assured that the institution would continue to work for the promotion and preservation of the Igbo heritage. He promised that his administration will always give the Centre the necessary support needed to carry out its functions in preserving and promoting of Igbo language, culture, and tradition.
“The university, in establishing the Centre, fulfilled the aspirations of the Igbo people in particular and all those interested in knowing about or studying the Igbo people and their culture. The Centre for Igbo Studies is a centre where issues about Igbo people, their language, politics, architecture, traditional medicine, theatre, traditional music, history, archaeology, arts and culture, etc could be obtained or researched on,” he said.
He thanked the participants and resource persons as well as the Director of the Centre, Prof. Uchenna Agbedo for organising the conference.
Chairman, Board of Presidents of the Council of Igbo States in Americas (CISA), Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, who chaired the occasion, applauded the university and the Centre for their efforts in ensuring that Igbo studies and cultural practice were sustained.
He said that over 40 million black Americans are of Igbo origin, adding that some of them are willing to learn the Igbo language and cultures, as well as reconnect with their living relatives in Nigeria and Diaspora.
“I want to assure CIS of my full support and the support of the Council of Igbo States in America in all they are doing to ensure that the Igbo language and culture will not die. We will help in equipping the Centre with the necessary things that are required for the teaching and learning of the Igbo language and culture.
“Over 40 million black Americans are of Igbo origin. The DNA tests conducted on some of them proved that their genetic information is from Igbo lineage. This has motivated a good number of them to start making inquiries and asking questions about the Igbo language, cultures, and transportation. They are willing to identify and reconnect with their ancestral roots, they want to learn and start communicating in the Igbo language, they want to learn our culture, they want to learn everything about Igbo, as well as how to prepare our foods,” Anakwenze said.
Also, President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, applauded the essence of the conference and its organisers.
Represented by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, he said that the best way to preserve and sustain Igbo language, culture and tradition is by making it a compulsory study in public primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the southeast. He also called free education for those who want to study Igbo language and culture in higher institutions.
The Ohanaeze chieftain said: “Southeast governors should institute and give free education to anybody who gained admission in any higher institution to study Igbo language and culture, as well as place Igbo teachers and lecturers on a special remuneration. By so doing, many students will be eager and willing to study Igbo language.”
A onetime director of the Centre, Prof. Gabriella Nwaozuzu, gave a thought-provoking keynote speech.
In her presentation titled, “Onye aghana nwanne ya in Igbo national thought: Where are we now,” said that ‘Onye aghana nwanne ya (be your brother’s keeper) philosophy was what helped the Igbo to be successful in all works of life and achieved a lot anywhere they found themselves.
“The idea is the reason why any place an Igbo man settles for any business, he must make an effort to bring his brothers along and train them to learn the same business with him.
“Before the Nigeria civil war, the ‘onye aghana nwanne ya’ philosophy was the bedrock on which Igbo progress, cohesion, love, and peace rested. It will be important to reactivate the noble philosophy which will help us to maintain and uphold our identity, language and cultural practices.
“It is very disheartening that the Igbo who are known for their unity and love for one another are being divided across social-economic and political challenges. I, therefore, call on Igbo leaders, home and abroad, to put heads together and weed off any divisive things that will bring division and enmity among the Igbo as well as entrench ideas that will promote the teaching and study of Igbo language and culture,” she said.
The professor of linguistic Igbo appealed to Igbo leaders to revive the philosophy of ‘onye aghana nwanne ya’ by making it part of Igbo official greetings whenever they gather.
In a lead presentation on “Reimagining the role of stakeholders in the development and entrenchment of Igbo language and cultre,” Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Abia State University, Uturu, Prof. Ogbonnaya Onuoha, said that Igbo stakeholders have very critical role to play.
“To ensure the growth of Igbo language and culture in this age, family, government and government agencies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo language educators, and researchers, as well as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), should play a vital role in promoting the teaching, study and speaking of Igbo language and as well as the practice Igbo culture.
“Contrary to the pessimism of some scholars and organisations, the Igbo language and culture are not so threatened, but required greater push by their stakeholders, to expand to the frontiers of their development, through formal and informal applications,” he stated.
The varsity administrator called on experts in Igbo language and culture to review the content of the existing roadmap to stability in the speaking, study, research printing/publishing, and engineering in Igbo language and culture.
In addition, he counselled our Igbo institutions like Ohanaeze Ndigbo and others should not be willing tools in the hands of politicians and political parties, their duties and missions should be redefined and focused purely on protecting and promoting Igbo tradition, culture, and heritages,” he said.
Director of the CIS and convener of the conference, Agbedo said the conference marked a significant milestone in the Centre’s journey to explore, preserve, and invigorate the rich tapestry of Igbo culture, language, and heritage.
According to him, in this era of rapid change and globalization, deliberation on how best to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Igbo studies was imperative.
“The theme of this conference, “Reimagining Igbo Studies in 21st century Nigeria,” reflects our commitment to adapt and innovate while staying true to the essence of our heritage. In addition to the scholarly exchange, we are privileged to unveil the masterplan for the establishment of the Igbo Cultural Village Complex, a visionary project that will serve as a hub for cultural immersion, education, and celebration. This endeavour is a testament to our dedication to preserving our traditions and passing them on to generations to come,” he said.
Agbedo, who described Igbo language as the cornerstone of Igbo identity and heritage, acknowledged that the language was facing challenges and endangerment.
“Our responsibility to stem this tide is both a moral imperative and a cultural obligation that we cannot afford to overlook. I call upon the University of Nigeria, Nsukka administration, government representatives, and NGOs to take practical and decisive steps in addressing the challenge of Igbo language endangerment, by fostering a supportive environment for Igbo language education, research, and cultural activities, we can play a pivotal role in safeguarding our linguistic and cultural legacy,” he stated.
He, however, appealed for support to enable the Centre start and complete the proposed Igbo Cultural Village Complex, which he said the institution’s VC had graciously approved a land space for its permanent site in the Nsukka campus.
One significant feature at the event was the presentation of award of excellence to the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, in recognition of his contribution to the development, preservation and promotion of the Igbo cultural heritage.
Also honoured were CISA Board Chairman, Anakwenze, VC of UNN, Igwe, a philanthropist and Lagos-based businessman, Dr. Chris Onyekachi Simon, a renowned cultural promoter, Sam Otobeze and Prof. Ijeoma Okeoji, among others.
In his remarks, Ukeh promised that his organisation would continue to promote Igbo language and culture. He noted that the company had always supported any initiative that would enhance the well-being of the Igbo including the socio-economic development of the region.
Series of exciting activities, including masquerade dance and parade, cultural dance competition, students’ cultural parades, art and craft exhibition, among others also featured at the event.