Igbo Women Advocate for Language Preservation in Awka

Igbo women, represented by Lolo Nneka Chimezi of the Iwa organization, have expressed that losing the Igbo language equates to losing their identity. This statement coincides with the upcoming celebration of International Mother Language Day in Awka, Anambra State, scheduled for Saturday.

The event will include a symposium at Nnamdi Azikiwe University on Friday at 4:00 PM, featuring lectures and discussions focused on the preservation and promotion of the Igbo language and culture. The decision to relocate the celebration to the Southeast was made three years ago due to a concerning trend where 90% of children aged 15 and under neither understand nor speak Igbo.

The Iwa organization, which formally joined the movement in 2019, has been advocating against the extinction of the language, highlighting that the loss of language leads to irreparable damage to cultural identity. The event will also see participation from notable figures, including Professor Stella Okunna and Azu Mbata, among others.