UNN Center for Igbo Studies Launches Initiative to Save Igbo Language
UNN's Center for Igbo Studies vows to prevent Igbo language from extinction.
Mary Nwaeze 
The Centre for Igbo Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (CIS-UNN) has issued a stern warning against the potential extinction of the Igbo language. In a press conference held in Enugu, the center declared its unwavering commitment to preventing the Igbo language from fading into obscurity.
Blaming parents for the decline in the knowledge of the mother tongue among children, the CIS-UNN emphasized the urgent need to safeguard Igbo language, culture, and tradition. Prof. Chris Uchenna Agbedo, the Director of the Center, highlighted the upcoming 2nd World Igbo Conference, scheduled for April 12 and 13, 2024, at the UNN, as a crucial initiative in this endeavor.
Themed “Bridging the Igbo Homeland-Diaspora Disconnect for transforming our present and future together,” the conference aims to delve into various facets of Igbo culture, language, heritage, and socio-economic development. Prof. Agbedo stressed the importance of instilling the Igbo language in children from a young age, cautioning against the dangers of solely raising them with English.
SEE: UNN Mandates Evacuation of Hostels as 2022-2024 Academic Session Wraps Up
The center commended the efforts of individuals and groups such as Onowu Abagana, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, and the CISA-IWA Diaspora Group for their contributions towards the establishment of the CIS-UNN Igbo Cultural Village Complex project.
READ: UNN 2023-2024 School Fees Update: Important Advice for Students
Collaborating with partners including the Council of Igbo States in Americas (CISA), Igbo World Assembly (IWA), American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), and Respelling Obeah & Unuchi Foundation, the conference seeks to facilitate meaningful dialogue among scholars, policymakers, and community leaders. It aims to address crucial themes such as Igbo language development, cultural preservation, economic empowerment, historical reconnection, and policy advocacy.
YOU MAY LIKE: How to apply for a hostel in UNN
With a focus on bridging the gap between Igbo communities in the homeland and the diaspora, the conference underscores the collective effort to reclaim, preserve, and transmit Igbo cultural heritage across generations and geographical boundaries.
The CIS-UNN urged all enthusiasts of Igbo language and cultural heritage to actively participate in the forthcoming conference, emphasizing the pivotal role of collective action in preserving the rich heritage of the Igbo people.
