“Akalites should embrace their cultural roots and heritage.” Chinedu Okoro.
3 min read
US based Chinedu Okoro is a young Akalite who has prominently identified with his roots and Nigerian environment. His spoken Igbo is highly amazing and his Igbo patriotism has demonstrated a limitless dimension, at least in the last 3 years. Okoro spoke to Umuaka Times correspondent in America on his recent experiences in Umuaka last December.
Excerpts:
Mr Chinedu Okoro, happy New Year and congrats for the award you won from Umuaka Times in December 2021 as the Umuaka Times Cultural Ambassador of the Year. How did you feel about that?
It is my pleasure to accept the award. As a recipient of such an exemplary award, I am extremely pleased and honored.
You won the award because of your determination to learn and speak Igbo language despite being born and raised in America. Let’s ask you again, do some Akalite Americans come to you to ask how you managed to learn Igbo?
Yes, particularly the younger generation. Therefore, we incorporate Igbo language and culture into our meetings under the guidance of our Cultural Director. Our culture has a great deal of importance for Umuaka young adults.
When you spoke to Umuaka Times last time, you resolved that you would always visit Umuaka every December. How can you compare 2021 December and 2022 December in respect to your visit to Umuaka?
Umuaka is good! There’s no place like home. In terms of the differences, the major difference I noticed was the upgraded road. Umuaka is a very developed community compared to other communities. All I can say is God will continue to watch, guide and protect Umuaka and her people!
In 2021 December, you told Umuaka Times that the “cement dust” then, the recklessness of “motorcycle boys” and poor network in Umuaka were your turn-offs, did you record new turn-offs this last December or did you see any improvement?
Umuaka has improved and is still improving. There were no turn-offs this year (2022). There are some things that we can’t control, so we make the best of them and move on.
What about other areas, any positive developments you noticed that took place from 2021 December till 2022 December?
Generally the improvement was amazing.
You usually move freely anytime you visit home, did you express or harbour some fears while in Umuaka?
I wasn’t by myself, I always had my family members accompany me. Life is full of fear, but that doesn’t mean we should run away from our homes. All we have to do is pray and put our lives and trust in Jesus because he is our Protector!
Back to “motorcycle boys” and their risky ways of life. If you are given an opportunity to hold talks with them, what will be your area of focus? What about their female friends and colleagues. You may as well call them motorcycle girls if you like.
As a leader, I am not able to judge the way people live their lives as I do not know their circumstances. Some simple words of encouragement might be helpful in the case of the motorcycle boys. In order to achieve success, encouragement must be accompanied by confidence, which in turn leads to action. Given the current circumstances in Nigeria, I know it may be challenging, but youths simply need to be motivated and encouraged, and they cannot lose hope.
Finally why do many people assume you are an international professional model? Any plan to become one someday?
Hahaha, I am not a model and don’t have time for it. I have more important things to focus on.
What is your message to Umuaka people in general?
It is my hope that my message to all Umuaka people in the Diaspora, both adults, and youth will inspire them to embrace their cultural roots and heritage. It is our responsibility to continue making Umuaka to a better community in the future. Everyone, even those from outside communities, feel joy when they hear the name Umuaka. In order for the name, Umuaka, to be elevated and made to be greater than what it is today, let us keep lifting it up.
