PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY IGBO EFULA (OTU ASỤSỤ IGBO) ON THURSDAY, 2ND APRIL,2026
IGBO EFULA DECRIES ENUGU PRIVATE SCHOOLS TEACHING IGBO LANGUAGE IN ENGLISH, COMMENDS OHANAEZE FOR GAME CHANGING IGBO LANGUAGE PROMOTION INITIATIVES
Igbo Efula, a Non Governmental Organization with the sole objective of promoting Igbo Language has decried the ugly trend where Private Schools in Enugu State teach Igbo Language using English language, describing it as an aberration.
This was one of the highlights of a statement issued by the organization on Thursday, 2nd April, 2026.
The statement which was signed by Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Ọjị, MNSE, COREN and Mazi Nnaemeka Ibe, President and Secretary General, respectively read as follows:
Igbo Efula, a Non Governmental Organization with the sole objective of promoting Igbo Language, after due deliberations and considerations regarding Igbo Language; it’s promotion, propagation and preservation, states as follows:
1. Ohanaeze’s Commendable Igbo Language Initiatives: Igbo Efula heartily commends Ọhanaeze Ndigbo for their various outstanding and innovative programs all geared towards the sustenance and advancement of Igbo Language. Indeed, the present Ohanaeze leadership of Senator John Azuta-Mbata has done more for the promotion of Igbo Language than all other past administrations. Some of Ohanaeze’s laudable Igbo Language projects include; Endowment of Igbo Language Professorial Chairs in the 7 Ohanaeze states ( 4 professors from universities in 4 states received cheques of N2.5M for Igbo Language research and documentation under various areas, the remaining 3 professors shall soon receive theirs), teaching of Igbo Language to a global audience on Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s website, Bursary payment to undergraduates studying Igbo Language in tertiary institutions as an incentive, Sponsorship of the continuous training of Igbo Language teachers, to ensure that they are well equipped for the job. Certainly, nothing binds or unites a people like their language. As such, ongoing efforts by Ohanaeze Ndigbo in this regard is very strategic and deserves the support of every nwa-afọ Igbo.
2. Teaching of Igbo Language in English Language: Igbo Efula decries the ugly trend where Private Schools in Ala-Igbo teach Igbo Language using English Language, describing such as an aberration. Several schools in Independence Layout, Enugu have been specifically noted for engaging in such obnoxious practices. We therefore urge relevant authorities to address this issue. Schools should strive to teach subjects including Igbo Language in line with global best practices since you cannot teach a language using another language. If not in exams, will Igbo Language questions be set for the students in English or Igbo? We urge the South East Governments to promote Igbo Language by evolving and implementing policies that shall help in that regard.
3. Igbo Efula Unveils Igbo Language Initiatives: Igbo Efula also unveiled Igbo Language Initiatives aimed at promotion, propagation and preservation of Igbo Language, in fulfillment of her sole objective. Such Initiatives include: Advocacy visits to Government agencies, academic institutions, etc, proposals to Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo Governors for the provision of scholarships to indigent Igbo Language students, automatic employment for Igbo Language students upon graduation, Sponsorship of Igbo Language anthologies so as to increase the volume of Igbo Language books, etc
Signed:
Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Ọjị,MNSE, COREN
President, Igbo Efula
Mazi Nnaemeka Ibe
Secretary General, Igbo Efula
