By Uche Osunkwo
Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka, has pledged to work towards facilitating the 'Igbo Culture protection agenda' of a frontline cultural revival movement, OTU SUWAKWA IGBO NIGERIA.
Igwe Iweka, the Royal Father of the ancient Obosi Kingdom, made the firm pledge in his palace at Obosi in the course of playing host to a high-powered delegation of the globally acclaimed Igbo Culture protection group, initiated by renown Economic Management Authority and University Administrator, Prof Pita Ejiofor, that paid him a courtesy visit.
Responding to a well-articulated breakdown of the movement's plans and activities targeted at rescuing the endangered Igbo cultural background, the Ezeiweka 3rd, who expressed his deep worry over the denigrating treatment being given to Igbo Language, particularly, and Igbo Culture generally, by Igbo sons and daughters themselves, stated that nothing is supposed to be spared in tackling the serious issue.
He, while thanking and appreciating the painstaking and determined efforts of the movement even in the midst of discouraging difficulties, identified certain measures that could stimulate and sensitize a reversal of the 'Igbo Culture' depreciation and predicted march into extinction, including the employment and use of popular showbiz activities.
The respected Monarch appealed for reasonable attention by the Government, public and private institutions to the development, calling for all hands to be on the deck to save the beautiful and precious Igbo cultural heritage.
Earlier while presenting the delegation's mission, the leader and current Chairman, Venerable Patrick Okoye, took the Royal Father through the close to thirty (30) years of nerve-racking struggle by OTU SUWAKWA IGBO NIGERIA, touching on moves made through the period to alert Ndigbo, at home and in the Diaspora, about the unacceptable situation.
He identified areas of success, especially in terms of awareness creation and responsive reactions, as well as angles of disappointment, discouragement and tasking difficulties, asking that the 'First Traditional Ruler' of Anambra State assists through the levers of his office and position.
Contributing, a member of the visiting delegation, Chief Sir Joseph Nwakpadolu, the Omereoha Aguata, appealed that the Traditional Rulers Leader prevails on the revered members of his 'Royal Assembly' to give attention to the clarion-call of Otu Suwakwa Igbo Nigeria, pointing at the Rulers' role as Custodians of Culture and Tradition.
Also one of the delegates, Mr Uche Myka Osunkwo, a popular Media Practitioner and Public Relations Consultant, very eloquently drew the Royalty's attention to how the Igbo children and youths, home and abroad, the hope of tomorrow, are alienated to Igbo cultural identities, pleadingly asking that the ugly situation be taken up with full seriousness.
He observed that without meaningful commitment of time, energy and material resources into the worsening trend, hollow emotional and wishful expressions wouldn't wedge the drift, based on which the dreadful prediction is being made.
OTU SUWAKWA IGBO NIGERIA took off in the early years of this millennium, under the initiative and leadership of Prof Pita Ejiofor, fully dedicated to mobilizing actions against the poor treatment and predicted death and extinction of the Igbo Language and Culture.
In that direction, the popular movement has generated a groundswell of awareness, inspired attention and interest in individuals and groups, leading to the institutioning of several Igbo Culture protection and projection measures.