Of two parties and two brothers



Anambra and Imo states have a lot in common. For one, they share a common boundary. Also, they do not have a strictly implemented master plan. Another unique factor of the two states is that they are All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) States. The recent emergence of Owelle Rochas Okorocha as governor of Imo state under the aegis of APGA gave the party some impetus. 
The issue here is that the two brother governors of same party affiliations share similar sentiments in ensuring that our culture and language do not go extinct. These two have sworn that they would do everything to ensure that this generation bequeaths our language and cultural heritage to the next generation.
Peter Obi was the first to take up gauntlet.  Recently in Awka, the Anambra state capital, he laid the foundation for a N60m Ogbalu Igbo Language School to be located at Prof. Kenneth Dike Central Library, Awka.
In that ceremony, the governor, inaugurated the Committee on Igbo Language headed by Prof. Pita Ejiofor and also presented the Law on Igbo language.
Mr. Peter Obi did not stop at that, he further charged all indigenes of Igbo extraction to communicate in their mother tongue and added that unless this is done, Igbo language would go extinct soon.
Taking a cue from his Anambra brother, governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha came out to drum up support for the speaking of vernacular in schools. Owelle argued that it will forthwith not be a crime for a student or pupil to communicate in Igbo Language in school. He did not stop at that. He further enjoined parents to communicate with their wards in Igbo language as a way of bequeathing the language to them and also teaching them the traditions and customs of the Igbo people.
While commending the bold steps taken by these two governors, it is instructive to state that these measures are not enough to slow down the process of extinction of Igbo Language. There ought to be series of short term and long term plans that will encourage speaking of the language and ensuring that the common cultural heritage is preserved.
At the primary and secondary school levels, the process ought to be more aggressive with a lot of motivation from teachers, government and other private stakeholders. More debates and competitions should be organised with winners, participating schools and pupils going home with mouth watering prizes. Dramas, plays and play lets ought to be organised intermittently for students to partake in. Prizes and other forms of encouragement and motivations should be given to them. Extra credits should be given to students and pupils who read more Igbo Literature than the school recommended texts.  Igbo reading clubs should also be formed to encourage and expose students to these literature, traditions and customs.
At the tertiary level, some form of motivation should be given to students who study Igbo language or Igbo linguistics. This motivation can come in form of bursary awards, provision of free textbooks, embarking on internships and excursions at the expense of the state government.  These two departments can even be made tuition free to encourage more student enrolment. Governments should create more job opportunities for these students so that after their National Youth Service Corps, a large chunk of them would be recruited at once; a measure that would encourage others to toll the same path.
On another note, writing of Igbo novels and plays has dwindled in the last decade. There ought to be a practical approach that will encourage Igbo authors to write more.  Governments should be able to subsidize their cost of production or even contract them to write and publish for them at the end.
Also, teachers should be retrained on how to make teaching the language more interesting to students in the twenty first century.  Modern teaching techniques ought to be employed to encourage them.
This does not go out to Anambra and Imo states alone but to our brothers in Ebonyi, Enugu, and of course Abia states who are still enjoying the slumber.
Addendum
 This goes out to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state as he marks his 50th anniversary. Congratulations. 

Chukwudi   (chukwudiobi@marcandrick.com)

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