Two Media Entrepreneurs, Chief Ray Nkemdirim and Bishop Sunday Onuoha, have called on Igbos in the diaspora to come home and contribute their quota toward building the Igbo culture.
They made the call at the 13th edition of Vision Africa Radio 104.1FM School Debate Prize Presentation Day, in Umuahia on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the debate, which featured many secondary schools across Abia, was organised by the radio station in conjunction with the Abia State Ministry of Education.
Nkemdirim, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Flo FM, an Umuahia-based radio station, lamented that most parents in the diaspora had failed to connect their children with their Igbo roots and culture.
He congratulated the students and the teachers, saying that he was thrilled by their intellectual and cultural displays during their presentations at the event.
He said: “Most of us in the diaspora only come home during Christmas or festive periods, hoping that we will meet our culture as solid as we left it.
“There is nothing we do to contribute to building the Igbo culture.
“It is events like this that actually deepen the Igbo culture and allow these young ones to realise and appreciate the values of our ancestors.
“So, I urge every parent to encourage their children to be part of exercises like these.”
Also, Onuoha, a Bishop of the Methodist Church, Nigeria and President of Vision Africa, urged Abia indigenes and other Igbo in the diaspora to come home and invest.
He said that the primary reason for investing should not be to make money, but to transform lives and society.
Onuoha, who expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the programme, urged others to join him and Nkemdirim in establishing more radio stations in the state in order to build younger generations.
The cleric also urged parents to encourage their children to participate in debates, quizzes and other school activities that promote learning and development.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Uche, congratulated the winners and encouraged those schools that could not make it to the top to work harder next time.
The commissioner, represented by Mrs Angelina Nkoro, the ministry’s Head of Department, Scholarship, promised to sustain the partnership with the radio station for the good of Abia youths.
NAN reports that St. Theresa’s Girls Secondary School, Olokoro, Umuahia, emerged winner of the debate, while Methodist Girls High School, and Shinning Lord’s School, both in Umuahia, came second and third respectively.
The finalists, including Immaculate International Schools, Amuzukwu-Ibeku, Umuahia, which came fourth, entertained everyone present with their scintillating cultural dances. (NAN)
