By Stanley Nwanosike
The Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, has given his blessing to the maiden Igbo Language concert, tagged: “Surugawa Igbo”.
He gave the endorsement when the President of Igbo Efula (Igbo Language should not go into extinction), Ikechukwu Oji, led members of the organisation on a courtesy visit to him at the council’s chambers in Enugu.
Asadu, who was the immediate past Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, thanked the members of the group for devoting their time to work for the promotion of the Igbo Language.
According to him, the Igbo Language promotion concert is a selfless and very important task this group is performing on behalf of Ndigbo, especially the traditional rulers, who are the custodians of language and culture.
The royal father said: “I assure you of the support of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.
“I thank you for making me your Grand Patron and assure you that I shall support you fully as members of this delegation are all credible people working selflessly for Ndigbo.
“More importantly, my predecessor, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, an Igbo patriot and astute diplomat, who retired after a sterling career, is the Chairman of your organisation’s Board of Trustees.”
Asadu also promised to arrange a forum for the group to address an enlarged gathering of traditional rulers regarding the event and the importance of promoting the Igbo Language.
Earlier, Oji said that the Igbo Efula movement had one singular mission, which is to promote the Igbo Language.
He said: “Our partnership and collaboration with your council is expedient since traditional rulers are the custodians of language and culture.
“We thank God Almighty and the Enugu State Governor for your appointment as the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers.
“By virtue of your dynamism and remarkable strides in community development and youth empowerment, you are indeed a game changer and Igbo Efula is proud to be associated with you.
“Our prayer is that you use your good offices to reach out to other traditional rulers, well-meaning sons and daughters of Igboland to support and sponsor this first Igbo Language concert,” he said.
Oji said that the event was scheduled for November 17 in Enugu.
The major highlight of the visit was the royal father’s formal endorsement of the Surugawa Igbo Concert mascot. (NAN)
