Igbos urged to promote, defend their culture against Western influence

Cyril Mbah, Abuja.

Igbo communities outside the southeast geo-political zone have been urged to promote and jealously guard the Igbo language, customs and traditions against the corrosive influence of western cultures and civilization.

An Igbo community leader and businessman in the Federal Capital Territory, [FCT], Chief Michael Nwamasi [Ochi of Ochi Na-Nri] said in an interview that even though western culture should be embraced by every community, it should not be allowed to overwhelm indigenous languages and tradition.

The community leader, who hosted this year’s Iri-jii [New Yam] festival for the Igbo community in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT said: “What I am telling Nigerians, especially Igbo people at home and in the Diaspora is do not allow the Igbo language, its culture and traditions to die because of western influence. It has been predicted that Igbo language will disappear in the near future but we should not let this to happen before taking action.

“As a titled man from Igboland, I am calling on the community here and everywhere outside Igboland to do everything within their power to teach their children Igbo language and culture to keep our traditions alive for generations to come. Igbos should live in peace and accommodate their host community wherever they find themselves.

“Apart from Igbos, everybody should promote Nigerian indigenous cultures. We should not allow the western culture to displace and overwhelm our traditions. It is good to embrace western culture but we should not allow it to take over our own in the minds of our children,” he said.

The businessman also appealed to the Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB] to lift its regular sit-at-home directives in Igboland because the order has almost crippled business in the southeast and led to heightened insecurity in the area.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to look into the agitations of the group, release its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kalu and find ways to meet some of the positive demands of group.

Speaking to newsmen on the significance of the festival, the Ochi-Igbo of Gwagwalada, Igwe Eric Eze said Igbos engage in New Yam festivals every year as a symbolic thanksgiving to God for bumper harvest and he called on Igbo communities to remember and sustain the tradition as laid down by their forefathers.

The royal father also appealed to leaders to deploy equity and love in the governance of the country in the interest of development, peace and harmony.