Eze (Dr.) Christian Chikadibia Nwokedi, chairman Council of Ndi Eze Igbo in Lagos state, (Okpokpo of Obodoukwu,) former chairman Ladipo Market, is a philanthropist, who is promoting Igbo culture and tradition, and was glad to be part of the guests at the recent unveiling of Ulo Nmuta Omenala N’ Asusu Igbo and Launching of N150 Million Naira Fund for a School Bus and School Permanent site held at Ronik Comprehensive School, Ejigbo, Lagos state.
He advised parents to bring their children up with sound knowledge of Igbo language and culture, and applauded the vision of Eze Nicholas Emenike Njoku, Eze Ndi Igbo of Ejigbo, Lagos who is also a recipient of the United Nations Peace Ambassador. He also appealed to Ndi Igbo to support the project which he likened to an investment that would benefit every Igbo person.
Excerpt:
How do you feel as Eze Nicholas Emenike Njoku unveils and launches for “Ulo Nmuta Omenala N’ Asusu Igbo?
We feel glad about today’s programme, Eze Njoku, Eze Eziokwu bu ndu brought good things by ensuring that Igbo culture will not be wiped off, it’s a good vision. Igbo language and culture will go far, because any person that is an Igbo man should speak his father’s language. I am overwhelmed, that I am here today to support what our brother is doing to re-orient Igbo language and culture.
What is the significance of our gathering here today?
It is a call on every Igbo person to ensure that his/her children understand and speak Igbo language, everywhere he stays because if we stop our language in a short period of time, our language will be forgotten. So what he is doing is to open people’s eyes.
Parents, anywhere you live, ensure that your children speak Igbo language because without Igbo, when they travel to the village, they cannot relate with villagers, some might forget to tell driver where they are going which is a disgrace to the parents for not teaching their children our culture and language. It will be bad that one has a child that doesn’t know where he came from. The child cannot explain the meaning of his name in Igbo. He cannot know the meaning of Eke, Orie, Nkwor and Afor, it is bad.
What is your advice for Ndi Igbo?
My advice is for them to make up their mind and support Eze Njoku, when we see a good thing, we should embrace it. What Eze Njoku is doing today should be done in Lagos by every Igbo man, but he took it upon himself with his money, ensuring that children speak Igbo language and understand our culture and tradition. I pray that almighty God, will give him more money and strength to continue his vision. It is not easy for only one person to bring out his money to ensure that Igbo language and culture will not die. He is supposed to be honoured in Lagos and in Igbo land.
What effort will you make to ensure that this project continues?
I will support in various ways and I will put money, because I like to support good things, good things should be emulated. What he is doing, feeding, getting teachers, and space is a responsibility of every Igbo man. We should replicate it in every local government in Lagos state. Somebody came to my palace, an Igbo youth, he could not explain the meaning of his name in Igbo language. Speak Igbo language, he could not, I called his parents and told them that they should ensure that they train their child to understand the use of Igbo language. What Eze Njoku is doing today will help us Ndi Igbo, because if it dies, it will be painful that we cannot recognize our Igbo brothers when they cannot speak our Igbo language.