IGBO leaders yesterday renewed their call for deliberate and collective measures to save the Igbo language from extinction.
  They stated that unless Igbo stakeholders rise and undertake practical actions, which include compulsory learning and speaking of Igbo, the language may go into extinction before 2050, as forewarned by the United Nations (UN).
  
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Azuta-Mbata, who could not hide his disdain over the continuous slide of the Igbo language, urged Ndigbo to rise and revive the language.
  Speaking at the 2026 Igbo Efula Mother Tongue Day celebration in Enugu, Azuta-Mbata described the language as the soul and identity of the Igbo people, stressing that losing it would amount to losing a vital part of their heritage.
  
“Today, we gather to reaffirm our commitment to preserving our beautiful language, culture, and heritage. Igbo is our identity and pride. But today, it is at risk of extinction. We must act now,” he declared.
  Azuta-Mbata, who was represented at the event by the Enugu State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nze Uche Damian Obisi, urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to deliberately speak and teach Igbo to younger generations, encouraging the youths to embrace their roots with pride.
  
“As leaders and custodians of our culture, we must ensure the Igbo language thrives. Let us speak it, teach it, write books in it, create content in it, and pass it on to our children,” he added.
  The event was organised by Igbo Efula, a civil society group committed to promoting the Igbo language and culture, as part of activities marking the International Day of the Mother Tongue.