Igbos should be proud of their language – Imo govt

From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri

The Imo State Government has said that Igbos should be proud of their culture and language but that, regrettably, Igbos are ashamed to speak their language.

The State Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Hon. Jerry Egemba, who stated this during the BYAN Black Month Celebration held at the weekend in Owerri, the Imo State capital, noted that the current generation of Igbos are not proud of their cultural heritage, including their mother tongue, which is the Igbo language, and that parents must do more to teach their wards the language, which is their identity.

“This Black History Month celebration is not just about the past—it is about who we are and where we are going. It is about embracing our identity, telling our own stories, and building a future where our culture and values remain strong and respected globally.

“To the Blazing Youngsters and Achievers Network (BYAN), I commend your relentless dedication to youth development and cultural preservation. Your efforts in organising this celebration, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality, reflect a shared vision of preserving our heritage while equipping the next generation for greatness.”

He added, “As a government, we will continue to support initiatives that uplift our youths, promote our cultural heritage, and position Imo State as a hub for creativity, talent, and tourism. However, what I have seen today shows that parents must do more to teach their children the Igbo language, as the majority of the students who participated in the question-and-answer session on Igbo do not have a full grasp of the language, which shows that parents are not proud of speaking the language to their children. If this trend continues, it means that the Igbo language is endangered,” Hon. Egemba said.

Also, the Chairman of the event and Commissioner for Homeland Security, Hon. Modestus Osakwe, in his terse remark, commended the organisers of the event.

He said, “It is difficult to talk about a people without history. When history was removed from the secondary school curriculum, I was taken aback because it is through history that we learn who we are, which includes the culture, values, and traditions of the people. And cultural values, including our language, are transmitted from generation to generation. So, when I saw Blazing Youngsters as organisers, that spurred me to accept to be here today, and I am not disappointed from what I have seen.”

Speaking earlier, the President of BYAN, Mrs Adanna Abatan, said the event is a “reaffirmation of our identity, a tribute to the towering achievements of our icons, and a renewal of our collective commitment to preserving the legacies that define us as a people.”

Represented by Prince Chima Uchenna Okoro, Mrs Abatan said, “The glories of our past are woven with resilience, courage, brilliance—qualities that continue to inspire generations. Our mission is to empower the youths, inspire the next generation of achievers, and promote the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and successful role models like Onyeka Onwenu, Dr K.O. Mbadiwe, Chioma Ajunwa, and several others. The

BYAN is committed to bridging the gap between young minds,” she said.

The high point of the event was cultural dances, drama sketches, and an Igbo language proverbs translation competition by students of various secondary schools.