The Neglect of Igbo Language IS worse than Defeat of Biafra

Another disaster is on the verge of be falling ndigbo. The tragedy worse than the defeat of Biafra is about to happen in our generation. The impending doom is the threat of imminent death of Igbo Language. Already Igbo Language  is in a critical condition today.
These were part of the lamentations of Prof. Pita Ejiofo while delivering this year’s Odenigbo lecture, at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, November7. He spoke on Oganihu Igbo: Onodu Asusu Igbo. (Igbo Progressive Welfare: Where does the Igbo Language stand?)
Prof Ejiofo noted that at the moment, Igbo Language is in a serious condition, and its survival depends squarely on Igbo governors. He therefore appealed to them to rescue this God-given Language so that the tragedy which befell Biafra will not be its fate.
In a well-researched paper, with statistical and empirical evidences, Prof Ejiofo gave several instances, of actions and inactions of ndigbo to prove that Igbo Language is on danger list.
He said that ndigbo both in Nigeria and  in diaspora are 31million and that out of 6809 Languages in the World, Igbo Language is ranked 41st based on the population of ndigbo.
Continuing, he observed that in Africa, apart from Nigeria, Igbo population is greater than any other country in West Africa.
“In Nigeria, ethnic nationalities are between 200-250 in number, Igbo is ranked among the first three. Also, in Nigeria with a population of 155 million, one out of every five Nigerian is Igbo.”
 he lecturer regretted that despite these blessings, Igbo Language is on the verge of being subsumed by other languages.
For example, in 2010, out of 920 Nigerian home videos, 127 were produced in English Language, 291 in Hausa, 470 in Yoruba, 29 in Bini (Edo), only one in Igbo.
The result has not changed. Quoting  statistics released by the National Film and Video Censors Board, for Sept 2011-April 2013 out of 215 films produced, 80 were in Hausa, 72 in Yoruba, 42 in English, 20 in Bini, only one in Igbo.
Also, DSTV Africa Magic, was initially aired only in English Language. But following the popularity of the progrramme, DSTV promised Nigerians that it would introduce African Magic in Nigerian Languages. Everybody was happy. But when the programme took off  in April 2010, only two Nigerian Languages were selected- African Magic Hausa and Africa Magic Yoruba, which are currently running on Channels 156 and 157 respectively. Igbo is not there.
Similarly, Hausa service runs in both Voice of America (VOA) and British Broadcasting Cooperation BBC. Igbo is not there. So, the World doesn’t seem to know there is a language called Igbo.
On those responsible for the present critical situation of Igbo Language, prof. Ejiofor blamed teachers, many of who prevent pupils from speaking Igbo Language in class; Igbo parents who speak only English to their children and who unashamedly tell visitors that, “Junior does not understand Igbo;” Universities that use English Language to teach Igbo; Igbo elders who write address and funeral orations in English, and who encourage such phrases as “Happy Birthday,” “Happy New Year”, “Happy Easter” etc.

Also to blame are priests who conduct masses and services in English Language simply because 5% of the congregation is non-Igbo. However, he heaped the biggest blame on Igbo government: “How much was budgeted for the promotion of Igbo Language since the end of Civil War? What law did they make to ensure that Igbo language is compulsory in both primary and secondary schools, and also made a condition for gaining admission into the higher institutions in Igboland?”
 
 CULLED FROM www.theleaderassumpta.com