Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the leading Igbo socio-cultural group, has taken a significant step toward preserving Igbo heritage, particularly the language.
This comes amid UNESCO’s warning that the Igbo language will become extinct.
However, in an effort to prevent the forecast from becoming a reality, Ohanaeze Ndigbo established four Professorial Endowment Chairs on Thursday.
According to DAILY POST, the four professors from Enugu, Ebony, Anambra, and Imo were chosen following a rigorous selection procedure.
Three more candidates, one from Abia, Delta, and Rivers, are expected to be chosen in the following weeks to complete the seven Igbo-speaking states.
Speaking at the Ohanaeze Secretariat, President-General John Azuta Mbata described the project as a necessary intervention to protect Igbo identity in the face of increasing global challenges.
“This occasion is not merely a gathering; it is a celebration of our rich cultural heritage, a testament to our resilience, and a commitment to the future of the Igbo language, history, and culture,” Mbata told the crowd.
He stated that the program, spearheaded by the organization’s National Executive Committee, aims to strengthen cultural preservation through academic research and institutional support.
“As we embark on this significant initiative… we are taking a vital step toward ensuring that our cultural identity thrives amidst the challenges of urbanisation and global migration,” stated the minister.
Mbata expressed alarm over the dwindling use of the Igbo language, citing UNESCO warnings.
“We must accept that our Igbo language is endangered… “This is a clear call for us to take immediate action to preserve and promote our language,” he said.
He praised the selected scholars for their contributions to Igbo studies, emphasising that the awards were based on scholarship and dedication.
“Their commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding of our culture is commendable, and I am proud to recognise their efforts today,” he tweeted.
Professors Ngozi U. Emeka-Nwobia of Ebonyi State University, Boniface M. Mbah of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Frances N. Chukwu-Kere of Imo State University, and Mercy N. Nnyigide of Nnamdi Azikiwe University were among those who benefited.
In his remarks, Professor Damian Opata, Chairman of the Selection Committee, stated that the endowment aims to institutionalise Igbo studies in universities both within and outside of Igboland.
“The major aim of this professorial endowment is to establish chairs in universities throughout the Igbo-speaking states… and even where Igbo speakers are in the minority,” according to Opata.
He explained that the program extends beyond language preservation to encompass studies of Igbo history, culture, and worldview.
“Igbo history is crucial for the development of the Igbo people, beyond language and culture.” “We have Igbo technologies and ways of doing things,” he added.
He claims that the plan will inspire research, promote documentation, and foster academic engagement through conferences, seminars, and workshops.
“To organise conferences, seminars, and workshops aimed at the promotion and propagation of Igbo language, literature, and worldview… and to develop strong curricula for teaching and learning Igbo language,” he told journalists.
Opata also advocated for communal support beyond the organisation’s leadership.
“If we leave everything to Ohanaeze NEC, it will not be ideal. We must, as a nation, support this through programmes, research, and the involvement of philanthropists who can continue the endeavour,” he said.
Prof. Mbah, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the gesture, calling it as motivating and timely.
“We are happy with this gesture… it is a motivation for us to hit the ground running,” he told me.
He promised the scholars that they would justify the trust placed in them.
“We are dedicated to researching the Igbo language and will benefit from this help. “We will not disappoint,” he said.
He also praised Ohanaeze’s leadership for their transparent selection procedure.
“The selection process was transparent; the grant came as a surprise, but we will deliver on the mandate for which we have been set up,” added the minister.