PETE EDOCHIE, ASATU YOUTHS, OTHERS DECRY IGBO DESECRATION …AS ASATU 250 MILLION CULTURAL CENTRE IS LAUNCHED - O’STAR EZE

Pete Edochie, award recipient

It was during the recent launch of the 250 million naira ASATU (Anambra State Association of Town Unions)Igbo cultural centre that held at Finotel Hotel, Awka that the TV icon, Pete Edochie decried what he referred to as the wanton desecration of Igbo language by Ndi igbo. He wondered how the Master of ceremony and, indeed, everybody that spoke at the event could not express themselves in pure igbo language, but would have to subscribe to English words from time to time to complete their sentences.  The Nollywood living legend said it pains his heart and is a sign that Igbo language is not being accorded the honor due it, and that Igbos are making a fool of themselves before other ethnic groups. He asked all Igbos to borrow a leaf from him who, though a renown English Grammarian, would fluently express himself when in the company of Igbos in flawless Igbo without losing a sweat. Pete told ostareze.com that he hoped that the Igbo cultural centre being launched would achieve that purpose of reviving Igbo language and culture.

The ASATU National president, Dr. J.A.P Okolo was all beams and expressed satisfaction at the turn of event. He expressed his appreciation to all who attended and heartily donated towards the cause, especially the award recipients.

Retired Colonel Anthony Amaeze Ogunna, the president general of Ukpo improvement union and ASATU national adviser, while interacting with the press, appreciated God for the success of the launching/ award-giving event and said that all Igbos of Anambra extraction who have made lasting impact in the society both dead or alive such as Late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu and the living such as Pete Edochie. Rtd. Colonel Ogunna attributed the waning of the use of Igbo language to the fact that most of the devices used by the youths today such as Computers are in the English language. He said that an Igbo computer is being developed and was very optimistic the cultural centre would help facilitate the transformation process of Igbos especially the youths and make Ndigbo embrace their identity more.  

 

Com. Osita Ozaragba. ASATU Youth wing President

Also speaking during the event was the leader of ASATU youth wing and Ichida youth leader, Comrade Osita Ozaragba. He said that the day’s event is a thing every true Igbo should be joyous about as it portend cultural revival for Ndigbo. ‘It is what will make we Igbos introspect more on our identity and facilitate the ‘think home’ mindset in Igbos,’ he said. Speaking on the issue of Igbo language bastardization, Comrade Osita attributed the phenomenon to the way  Igbo families go about raising English language above Igbo language in value as they train their children. ‘Most Igbo parents think that it is by training their kids in English Language at the expense of their mother tongue that they keep up to the trend of civilization, but it is not true.

It makes Igbos appear as half-wits before their contemporaries like the Yorubas and Hausas who avail every opportunity no matter their social status to interact in their native language,' Osita observed. The Youth wing of ASATU which he leads, he intimated, is comprised of the 177 youth leaders that make up Anambra state and their primary job is to bridge the communication gap between the government and the youths and ensure that Anambra Youths are well informed about the activities of the government in the different ministries and are fully assimilated into them in whatever way possible. He shared that they keep tabs with the ministries and whenever there is recruitment exercise, they ensure that those qualified Anambra youths are part of it.

Hon. Engr. Obinna Oduezue

Hon. Engr Obinna Oduezue, the welfare leader of the ASATU youth wing and the President of Nnobi youths who was in the entourage of the ASATU youth leader passionately debunked the English axiom that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow and said that it is one saying that has retarded the growth of Igbo youths and the reason why senile men who can no longer be productive still come out to contest for government positions. He called on all the Igbo youths to wake up to the reality that the responsibility of leadership lies in their hands. He drew reference from great Igbo leaders of old like Ojukwu who achieved their feat as youths, and implored other Igbo governors to emulate Governor Obiano in giving the youths a chance to commit their raw energy and vigor in the development of the society.