Chief Sir Elochukwu: Ndi-Igbo should reach out to other tribes
The pioneer National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, (ANLCA), Chief, Sir. Ernest Elochukwu, (Ichie Ezeyibeya), has charged Ndị-Ịgbo to make speaking and writing in Igbo language a priority to ensure the promotion and preservation of the people’s way of life.
The MD/CEO of Nestello Gateways Group, gave the charge when the executive of Igbo Journalists’ Forum (IJOF), Rivers state paid him a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt, the the state capital.
He wondered why it is always difficult for Ndị-Ịgbo to start and end a conversation with Igbo language unlike Hausa and the Yoruba.
Chief Elochukwu expressed his displeasure on the attitude of some Igbo people who are self-centered in everything they do, advising the people to do away with the spirit of pride and ego
“Anywhere you go and you did not see an Igbo man, such place should properly be looked into. However, Ndị-Ịgbo should see how they can reach out to other tribes, especially now that their son, Mr. Peter Obi is contesting to be the president of this country.”
“Ndị-Ịgbo should strive to make speaking and writing of Igbo language a priority, and try on how to relate with others in Ịgbo language, reconsider their views in the spirit of I know it all, which I think is where the hatred on Ndị-Igbo comes in.”
The former tennis captain of Port Harcourt Club 1928, and a tennis player at Abuja Country Club, had earlier thanked the executive of IJOF for the courtesy visit, and pledged to support the group during its end of the year annual event, scheduled to hold on November 18, 2022.
In a related development, Naturalist, Ufam Munachimso Ebere Okoye, also expressed dissatisfaction over the inability of Ndi-Igbo to commence and end their conversations with their fellow Igbo in Igbo language without interruption with the use of English Language, both at home and in public places.
Ufam Okoye, made the expression when the newly inaugurated exco and other members of Igbo Journalists Forum, IJOF, paid her a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
According to her it is a sign of irresponsibility for Ndị-Ịgbo not to be proud to interact with Igbo language, without applying English language anywhere they are.
“I feel ashamed of myself each time I start a conversation with Ndị-Ịgbo and can’t end the interaction in Igbo language, without mixing it with English language. I don’t care whether my spoken English is correct or wrong, because English is not my language. Who cares about English language in Japan or in China and other countries?’,” she queried.
According to her, “there will be technological quake in Igbo land, the day Ndị-Ịgbo are being taught science and technology in Igbo language.
The Naturalist lauded IJOF for offering her the privilege to express her destiny, and pledged to continue to partner with the forum in its activities and never to shy away from any responsibility that has to do with Ndi-igbo.
Mazi Nnamdi Isaac Mbah, President of IJOF, on behalf of the forum, lauded Ichie Ezeyibeya and Ufam Okoye, for their immense contributions to the development and progress of Ịgbo Journalists’ Forum and by extension Ndị-Ịgbo gburugburu, and for their support to the Forum from her inception and pleaded with him to continue in his fatherly and brotherly spirit and love to the course of Ịgbo and and Ndị-Ịgbo.
Similarly, the forum’s vice president, Mazi Barth Ndubuwah, Blaise Tochukwu Elumezie, Public Relations Officer, and Ọrịakụ Chidi Sam Walson, treasurer respectively lauded their hosts for their warm welcome, and prayed God to continue to guide and protect them in all of their endeavors
