By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon Chief Emeka Orji on October 23, charged students to embrace Igbo language as it is their mother tongue so that they can belong anywhere they see themselves.
Orji said this while addressing students within the constituency during the Anambra State Schools Cultural Festival at Onitsha South Local Government Secretariat.
He frowned on the speeding manner on which children are replacing igbo language with foreign languages, adding that even children in the rural communities could not respond with igbo language when communicated with them.
He also commended those that took 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions and others that won prizes, saying that they won because they are fluent in Igbo language.
The Mayor advised parents and guardians to ensure the promotion of Igbo language in their various homes, citing inability of children to speak Igbo language as the fault of the parents/guardians.
The Onitsha South Local Government Supervisor of Education, Hon. Echezona Dunu in his address which he said is a kind of lecture with the topic, “The Role Of Education In Sustaining Culture And Tradition In Anambra State”, said that the theme is timely and commendable, especially now that our culture is fast fading and being replaced by foreign language with foreign culture and lots.
“Quite commendable in the sense that Anambra State Government has decided to do something drastic, we should understand that it is better to be late than never. Thanks to Anambra State Government through the Education sector for enlightening the people.
“The primary aim of this carnival is to impact the rich culture of Igbo man on our children for posterity, celebrating our culture is like feasting and gathering together of people to mark something memorable.
“Culture and tradition should be conveyed to people through education which encompasses every means, every aspect of money and dissemination of information, the role of education in sustaining culture is to ensure culture is introduced as a subject of study in school curriculum to get student abreast with the rediment of norms as well as life of people in the same tribe.
“For instance, Igbo speaking should be made compulsory so as to promote our mother tongue. Some schools in the state are trying to put Igbo language in extinction by punishing any student who speaks Igbo while in school.”
Schools have made positive impact by introducing cultures and native to be worn every Wednesday in school as a sign of culture exhibition, introduction of various cultural performances, traditional dress parade, competition, Igbo proverbs, indigenous music, traditional food fares, among others, should be done in schools.
According to him, Education plays a vital role in sustaining culture and traditions by transmitting cultural knowledge, values, practices to future generations. It helps individual to self identity and belonging by learning about their cultural heritage.
He also added that key aspect of education in sustaining culture is cultural knowledge transmission, saying that education preserves cultural tradition by passing knowledge, language and histories to future generation, identity formation, critical thinking and awareness, as well as community engagements.
Highpoint of the event was interpretation of Igbo proverbs, cultural dances, drama disposition by schools while Holy infant, Arch Bishop Onyemelukwe and Mayrays Secondary Schools emerged overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
There was also presentation of cash prices to the three best performing schools and to best performing five students in Igbo proverbs by the Mayor.
Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
