~ Proposes compulsory use of Igbo language in schools, meetings in S’East
By Ifeizu Joe
A group, Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has called for use of enforcement approach as a way to save Igbo language from going into extinction.
The group during an event held in commemoration of United Nations Mother Tongue Day 2026, which was held at ASUU Secretariat hall, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka lamented the decline in use of the language, saying it may go extinct if nothing was done.
The event which was organized in collaboration with Council of Igbo States in America (CISA) and Ohanaeze Ndigbo had the theme: Igbo language and culture: Tools for socio-economic development, and paraded several speakers, mostly from Igbo language department of various universities in the South East zone.
National President of IWA, Mrs Nneka Chimezie, in her opening address called for reflection on the state of Igbo language today, reminding that the language, which is the identity of the Igbo race is at risk of extinction.
She said: “Since 2020, the Igbo Women Assembly has been at the forefront of promoting Igbo language through various programs, yet our impact remains limited. It is clear that individual and group efforts alone cannot save our language.
“We need a collective, enforceable approach. This is why, on this Mother Tongue Day 2026, we call on all stakeholders in leadership positions—town unions, church leaders, traditional rulers, women groups, schools, and government agencies—to rise to the occasion.
“These institutions must make and enforce laws that strengthen the use of Igbo language in homes, schools, churches, markets, and public life. We must all understand that Igbo language is our identity. If we allow it to die, we lose more than words—we lose our heritage, our unity, our geographic identity, and the one thing that binds us as a people.
“No region thrives without its language. To lose our language is to lose who we are. Therefore, on this Mother Tongue Day, I call on all well meaning sons and daughters of Igbo land to join hands with IWA to find lasting solutions that will strengthen and preserve our language for future generations,” she said.
The summit also drew a communique proposing the compulsory use of Igbo language for teaching in all schools in Igboland, meetings, family gatherings and others.
The group in the communique called on families to inculcate habit of holding discussions in Igbo language, while calling on government to map out a day for speaking only Igbo language, even in govts offices. It urged state governments to sign to promote Igbo language.
