“Pride and inferiority complex killing Igbo language” Mrs Dorothy Okoro.
2 min read
Uba Umuaka born US based Akalite, Ezinne Mrs Dorothy Okoro also known as Ala Bekee has seriously frowned at the speedy practices aiding the extinction of Igbo language and culture by Igbo populations across the globe. Mrs Okoro who held talks with Umuaka Times early last week after the release of her Igbo proverb video series on Youtube, deeply wondered why Igbo parents and other stakeholders are yet to institutionalize special and concrete intervention programs aimed at preserving the Igbo language and culture.
On her own personal commitments and interventions, the first daughter of the late Native Doctor Nze Iwuoha Odunze a.k.a. Nwadibia, told Umuaka Times that she had already started implementing her own program to save Igbo language. Asked to explain further, Mrs Okoro first lamented that Igbo language is facing extinction with Igbo proverbs as well. On this understanding, she started her Ilu Igbo Series on Youtube. Periodically, Mrs Okoro releases her Igbo Proverb video series on Youtube for people to learn more about the richness of Igbo culture and language.
On the reasons Ndi Igbo no longer value their culture, tradition and language, Ala Bekee fingered out Nollywood as a large contributing factor over her role in replacing Igbo folklores (akuko ifo). Another reason cited by the famous Ala Bekee who was once the chairlady of Umuaka women in Lagos State was pride or inferiority complex among the Igbo people. “Our sons and daughters now see our language as something primitive, inferior and unproductive in the modern day Nigeria.”
Other factors that were enlisted as being of great concern include the area of Igbo dressing and food. Hear her: “Ndi Igbo no longer eat their food or dress in their Igbo attire. To most of them, those special Igbo attributes are now things of the past. Can you imagine an Igbo child born and bred in a total Igbo society does not speak nor understand Igbo language?”
Calling for an intervention, Mrs Okoro appealed to Igbo institutions, royal fathers, educationists and other stakeholders to do their best possible to preserve the language from going extinct.
In her conclusion, Ezinne Mrs Dorothy Okoro called on Igbo parents in and outside Igboland to endeavor to train their children and allow them grow with the rich Igbo culture and tradition.
