Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called on Ohanaeze Ndigbo to take deliberate and strategic steps to promote and preserve Igbo culture, especially among the younger generation.
The governor made this appeal during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Abia State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to the Government House in Umuahia.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, Governor Otti emphasized the critical role of language in cultural preservation and revealed that his administration has already taken concrete action by making the Igbo language a compulsory subject in both basic and secondary schools.
He warned that communities that lose connection with their cultural identity are at risk of “extinction.” He further expressed concern that many Igbo youths have drifted away from traditional values such as hard work and integrity, instead becoming entangled in the pursuit of quick wealth through fraudulent means.
The governor stressed the need for a clearly defined roadmap to help Ohanaeze achieve its cultural objectives. He encouraged the group to establish vibrant youth wings in schools to instill cultural pride, leadership, and identity in the younger generation.
He also highlighted the importance of bridging the generational gap to ensure that Igbo heritage continues to serve as a moral and cultural compass for future generations.
In response, Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, President of the Abia State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, commended the governor for his developmental strides in Abia and expressed appreciation for his stance on promoting cultural education.
Okwuonu praised Otti’s policy on education, saying the decision to make the Igbo language compulsory in schools is in line with Ohanaeze’s mission to “promote Igbo culture and heritage.”
