Governor Willie Obiano has again stressed the need for the promotion and sustenance of the rich Igbo Cultures and Tradition.
Governor Obiano was speaking while receiving the executive members of Njiko Ndigbo who paid him a courtesy call at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia.
Njiko Ndigbo is a pro-Igbo group with the sole objective of preserving Igbo language, culture and tradition.
The group, led by its Chairman, Mr. Charley Oputa, popularly known as Charley boy, were in the state as part of its tour of all the South Eastern States to intimate South East Governors with their plan to organize a cultural carnival in December this year.
Receiving the group, Governor Obiano observed that the state government had ventured into many programmes aimed at reviving Igbo language and culture, part of which are annual cultural carnival which features masquerading, cultural dance, among others, in all the Council Areas.
The Governor added that Igbo teachers now receive a quarter of their salaries additionally to boost their morale and attract others, pointing out that such are strategies to channel the minds of young ones towards appreciating Igbo language and culture.
While acknowledging that the group is fighting a just cause, Governor Obiano promised to support the group to achieve their aim and advised them to be transparent and avoid factionalization so as to carry everyone along.
The Governor also hinted that the state will, by next year, sponsor a summer school in the United States where Igbo language and activities will feature.
Earlier, the Director Legal Service and Operations of Njiko Ndi Igbo, Mr. Ben-Chuks Nwosu, said they had visited the Governors of Abia and Imo States on the issue and expressed optimism that Anambra will take the lead in terms of active participation in the programme in December and appealed to Governor Obiano to support them.
Mr. Nwosu said that the event will afford Ndi Igbo in the diaspora coming for the yuletide an opportunity to have a sense of home coming.
In an interview, the leader of the group, Mr. Oputa, said he was moved by the fact that many Igbo children within and outside the country find it difficult to speak language.
Mr. Oputa added that he was looking forward to a time when all the South-Eastern States will come together and celebrate their culture at the same time and inculcate the think home philosophy in the young ones.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Mrs. Uju Nwogu, explained that the state government, apart from enacting a law that every Wednesday should be observed as Igbo day in the state will sometime this month organize a children's carnival, where children will participate in traditional and cultural activities.
The event is billed to take place on the 28th and 29th December this year at Oguta, Imo State.
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