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By Chukwudi Nweje
• L-R: Chief Godwin Ezeobata, Dr Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Prince Obinna Orji and Mrs Kate Ugoka
March 11 was a day of joy. That day, the management of Igbo Ndi-Oma Africa TV, a sociocultural programme shown on social media platforms, visited Champion Newspapers’ office in Lagos to present a recognition award to Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, the Group Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper.
Iheakanwa, who was recognised for her philanthropy and service to humanity, also urged Igbo parents to cultivate the habit of communicating with their children in Igbo language, insisting that transmitting the language from one generation to another was the most important legacy parents could bequeath their children.
She also promised to support Igbo Ndi-Oma Africa TV in projecting Igbo language and culture.
She said: “The training of a child in languages begins from the home. All over the world, you discover that even a Chinese child born in America is fluent in the Chinese language, the Italians and the French all love their language.
“In Nigeria, the Yoruba and others love to speak their language, the Igbo don’t want to be left behind. The Igbo should be proud to speak their language. It is the responsibility of parents to teach their children where they are from by teaching them the language. Ancestry and lineage are important all over the world. We have a rich culture and that is a legacy we must leave to our children.”
She described the award as dear to her heart because of her passion for Igbo culture and traditions.
“This award gladdens my heart because I feel passionate about our people and I am excited that we are working on this television (Igbo Ndi-Oma Africa TV) that will promote Igbo language and culture. It is very important because our culture is eroding and this television will help us revive our culture.
“I am overwhelmed with joy. I treasure this award. This is the best of its kind, coming from an Igbo group. Yes, I am Ada Di Ora Mma Ndigbo, and I am also Ola Edo Ndigbo. These are traditional titles conferred on me, and I don’t play with them. But this award from you is significant and I am very grateful. I will continue to do my best anywhere I find myself. We have a lot to change in Igboland.
“I am passionate about everything that concerns us. The Igbo say ‘ana-esi n’ulo malu mma puta ezi (your beauty and goodness should start from the home front)’ and ‘onye chefulu ulo ya no na nsogbu (he that forgets his home is in great trouble)’. We should all stick together and never forsake one another,” she further said.
Earlier, Prince Obinna Orji, chief executive officer of Igbo Ndi-Oma Africa TV, described Iheakanwa as a “noblewoman with noble character, who has touched the lives of many people.
He said: “We are here to present this award; it is a recognition award for your contribution to humanity and touching the lives of several people around the world. Champion Newspaper is a champion and all the staffers are champions. We are presenting this award to all of you.”
Orji noted that his outfit decided to honour Iheakanwa after a thorough screening and found her worthy of the award.
He said: “After thorough screening and scrutiny, and also asking questions about Dr. Iheakanwe, we learnt that she is a philanthropist, that she has touched the lives of several people.
“That is why I and the Igbo Ndi-Oma Africa TV staff are here today to present this Recognition Award to Dr. Iheakanwa.”
