IGBO LANGUAGE ON THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION - IGBO SPEAKING BIAFRANS CRY OUT

By Arinze Chukwu (Abia Writers)
Edited by Livingrich Ezeikpe
The Igbo language is one of the three major National languages in Nigeria and among the recognized languages in the world. There are between 18-25 million Igbo speakers living primarily in Eastern Nigeria (Biafra). Igbo is made up of many different dialects, which aren't mutually intelligible to other speakers.

Immediately after the colonization of Nigeria by the British government, they imposed the English language upon the three different ethnic groups in Nigeria (Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba) for easy communication between the people and the British. English was made to be a compulsory subject in the schools, marketplaces and working places. The Igbos being the most intelligent assimilated the language easily and were enjoying it so much that it became the major language. Unlike the Hausas and Yorubas who didn’t like the language so much, as such were using their language for day-to-day activities except when English is compulsory. Little did the Igbos know that the evil intentions of the British in imposing their language was to wipe out local languages from among the people and from other languages in the world.

The Igbo speaking Biafrans today are crying bitterly against the British plot in the name of civilization. Today their children can no longer speak their language in their own land. The Igbo language has been prohibited in some Schools, churches, companies and marketplaces in Igbo land. What a taboo! Igbo language according to the Wikipedia article on language will die-or mostly dead- in about fifty years. In affirmation, Nwapa, John munonye and others said, "the Igbo language is dying as it is one of the languages UNESCO warned will die in 50years time.

Thank God for the emergence of the IGBO SPEAKS INITIATIVE (ISI) and also known as IGBO NA EKWU (INE) in Igbo language that has taken up the burden to defend the Igbo language not only in Africa but in the world at large. The purpose and mission of this very great organization is to restore the Igbo tradition, culture and heritage that have been lost through the British colonization process in Nigeria. The ISI has taken their message to schools, churches, banks and marketplaces preaching the importance of tradition, culture and tourism to their people encouraging all the Igbos to make their language a number one and a compulsory subject in schools and in their different fields of endeavour.

They urged that Parents at home and abroad should stop speaking foreign languages to their children while at home. Igbo Speaks Initiative was founded by Prince CC Sunday (Nwachukwu) and headed by Prince Nonso Enoch. Speaking to the organization during their annual gathering on Thursday 14/06/2018, Arinze Chukwu, encouraged them for their relentless efforts and also reminded them of Hungarian, Romanian, Irish, Hebrew and others as languages that have been in coma for 19 centuries but was revived by the people. For the Igbo language to survive the Igbo people must see English as the Dutch and the Scandinavians do-a means to an end, a way to earn more.