By Michael Ezenwata
Nnamdi Azikiwe University has celebrated this year’s”Igu Aro” with renewed vigour to promote the Igbo Language and Culture.
The celebration featured the “Igu Aro’ by the Enugwu Ukwu Igwe-In-Council representing Igwe Ralph Ekpe , presentation of the Unizik academic calendar by the Vice Chancellor, exhibition of Unizik traditional medicine, inauguration of Igbo village permanent site and its fund raising among others.
Declaring the event open, the acting Vice Chancellor of Unizik, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu saluted the director of the Igbo village and institute of African studies Unizik, Very Reverend Father Prof.Bonachristus Umeogu for his passion to promote the Igbo Language and Culture through various platforms namely “Iri Ji’ Unizik,”Ohazurume’ Igbo festival and “Igu Aro” Unizik to actualize the mandate of the centre.
Prof.Ikechebelu challenged the directorate to take the lead to synchronize a standard Igbo calendar that would have applicability in all Igbo communities with reference to events such as “Igu Aro”,”Iri Ji’ festival,among others.
The Vice Chancellor used the forum to applaud Governor Chukwuma Soludo for giving attention to all sectors of the economy and for his alarming streak of achievements.
In a welcome address, the Director of the Igbo Village Centre, Father Umeogu thanked the Vice Chancellor for his support to the directorate and urged that Igbo elites should prioritize the establishment of an Igbo University where Igbo knowledge systems in Medicine,Law, Science, Engineering,Governance,and Philosophy are taught.
The chairman the occasion and the traditional ruler of Ifite Dunu, Igwe Emeka Ilouno in a speech, spoke extensively on the imperatives of promoting Igbo language and culture,and commended the organizers for their vision and mission statement.
One of the awardees ranked as young achievers 2025 awardees,Bishop Onyeka Nzekwesi called for the promotion of Igbo Cultural values at all times and for generations yet unborn.
Others who also called for the promotion of Igbo Cultural values included the younger brother of Fr.Umeogu, Mr.Chinedu Umeogu,Mr.Chukwuma Uba a native of Nnobi,and Igwe Jesu Amaka, a resident of Awada Onitsha.
* Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
