The Abia State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has endorsed the state government’s decision to make the teaching and learning of the Igbo language compulsory in schools across the state.

The endorsement was given during an expanded meeting of the state executive council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo with chairmen of the union from the 17 local government areas of Abia State.

Ohanaeze said the policy aligns with its core objectives, particularly the preservation and promotion of the Igbo language and culture.

The group also urged parents to complement the government’s efforts by speaking Igbo to their children at home to prevent the language from becoming extinct.

“As a body committed to promoting the Igbo language, we do not want our language to become extinct. We want our people to understand, speak, and learn Igbo.

“Our culture is paramount, because people are identified by their culture. Abandoning our culture means abandoning our heritage, and that is not what we want,” the union said.

The group noted that Governor Alex Otti’s decision to make Igbo language instruction compulsory in nursery and primary schools reflects one of the cardinal visions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Lamenting what it described as a growing preference among some Igbo parents for their children to speak only English, Ohanaeze urged parents to encourage their children to communicate in their mother tongue.

“A people without culture risk extinction. We want to promote our culture and be proud of it. These are the ideals Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands for, and these are the paths we want to promote in Abia State,” the union added.

Abia State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise his prerogative of mercy by granting a presidential pardon to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

He told reporters: “The issue of Nnamdi Kanu is very dear to Ohanaeze. I recall our meeting in Awka during Igbo Day, where the National President clearly stated that the case of Nnamdi Kanu should be resolved through political negotiation. That was before his conviction.

“Although he has now been convicted, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is still pressing for him to be granted a pardon. As the Abia State chapter, we are appealing to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to graciously grant Nnamdi Kanu a presidential pardon.”

He added that Otti had previously visited Kanu at the correctional facility and had assured that efforts were ongoing to explore political and legal options for his release.

Dr. Okwuonu also expressed concern over the low participation of Igbos, including Abians, in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Recent statistics show that Igbos, including Abians, are not fully participating in the voter registration exercise. This is a civic responsibility.

“When we seek anything in Nigeria, there is a process, and voter registration is one of those processes. Unfortunately, the Southeast is not doing well in this regard,” he said.

The Abia State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirmed its loyalty and support for the leadership of the National President, Senator Azuka Mbata, and commended Governor Otti for what it described as the “giant strides” recorded by his administration in the last two years.

According to the union, improvements in infrastructure, security, and governance have made the state increasingly attractive to investors and residents.

It said: “We can see that the governor is making giant strides. Movement within Umuahia and other parts of the state has become easier due to improved road networks and the conducive environment created by the administration.

“Ohanaeze wants to state clearly that Abia State is very safe. Any narrative suggesting otherwise should be disregarded. Abians are happy and secure in their state.”

The group urged Nigerians and investors to consider Abia State as a destination for business and residence, describing it as one of the safest states in the federation. (The Nation)