Group urges preservation of Igbo language, culture

A group, “Face of Igbo Heritage Legend International Foundation,” has said that efforts must be made to preserve the Igbo language and other heritage.

It also urged traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders in the region to continually formulate ideas that would help to promote the identity and aspirations of the Igbo people.

Speaking with newsmen in Owerri, yesterday, founder of the group, Mazi Uzochukwu Nkweatu, decried the rate at which “the heritage of Ndigbo is gradually turning into things of the history,” saying “people without identity are lost people.”

He said the foundation was established to help rediscover and highlight the high-flying trademarks of Ndigbo that would help to preserve, enhance and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo nation.

“We encourage Ndigbo, irrespective of their age and gender, to pursue and build dreams that will outlive them; that will offer the vast majority of Igbo people a better chance at life through opportunities that have the potentialities of securing their future without compromising integrity and self-worth.

“We are strategic about what we are doing, working so hard to engender more relevance for the Igbo language, culture and traditions at the global stage.

“So far, we have the backing of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers because we want to start from the root. We are also working in partnership with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and these strategic partnerships will ensure that individual goals of every Igbo-based organisation are harmonised to dovetail into the ‘greatness goal’ we are working on,” Nkweatu said.

He also used the opportunity to disclose the plan of the group to give meritorious awards to some distinguished Igbo personalities whom he said have made positive impacts for the general good of Ndigbo.

Nkweatu, who described group as an initiative capable of changing the global perception of the Igbo man and rewriting the Igbo story, further stated: “The Foundation, through merit awards, will further celebrate the accomplishment of exceptional Igbo men and women who have made outstanding contributions in their various fields of endeavour and today stand as inspiration and positive role-models in the Igbo nation.

“The award is just a little part of what the Foundation is doing. Our major goal is to encourage and promote life-changing engagements that will further the aspirations and interests of the Igbo as individuals and as a group.”