The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has set in motion plans to preserve and promote the Igbo language with the presentation of a N10 million cheque to beneficiaries of its Professorial Endowment Chair.
Each of the four beneficiaries drawn from Enugu, Anambra, Imo, and Ebonyi states received N2.5 million, while beneficiaries from the three other states of Abia, Delta, and Rivers would be announced later.
Speaking at the ceremony, where he also unveiled a new scholarship scheme for youths, the President General of the organisation, John Azuta-Mbata, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at securing the future of Igbo identity amid growing globalisation and urban migration.
Azuta-Mbata said the event was not just a ceremonial gathering but a bold step towards revitalising the Igbo language, history, and cultural consciousness.
He warned that recent reports by UNESCO indicating that the Igbo language is endangered should serve as a wake-up call for urgent and collective action.
“We are here to celebrate our heritage and invest in its future.”
This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that Igbo language and culture not only survive but thrive for generations to come,” he said.
The Ohanaeze leader commended members of the Professorial Endowment Chair/Selection Committee, led by Prof. Damian Opata, for what he described as a transparent and merit-driven selection process that produced outstanding scholars dedicated to advancing Igbo studies.
Azuta-Mbata also announced the launch of the “Ohanaeze PG Scholarship,” which would provide opportunities for 100 Igbo youths to study coding, Artificial Intelligence, and other technology-driven courses in various universities. According to him, the number is expected to increase to 200 in the near future.
