Matilda Omonaiye/
The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), a group affiliated with the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has declared its intention to sue the Lagos State Government over its alleged policy mandating the exclusive teaching of the Yoruba language in state-owned schools.
Speaking at a press conference in Umuahia, Abia State, IWA National President, Mrs. Nneka Chimezie, criticised the Sanwo-Olu administration for implementing a policy that does not reflect the multicultural composition of Lagos.
She argued that as a cosmopolitan state with significant populations of various ethnic groups, including the Igbo, the policy is exclusionary.
“They should make it open. Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba should all be taught,” Chimezie said, emphasising the need for an inclusive approach to language education that accommodates Nigeria’s major ethnic groups.
The controversy stems from allegations that Lagos schools are now prioritising Yoruba as the sole indigenous language taught, sidelining others such as Igbo and Hausa.
The IWA maintains that this move undermines the rights of non-Yoruba residents in Lagos, many of whom contribute significantly to the state’s development.
In a related effort to preserve the Igbo language, the IWA has scheduled an event on February 21, aligning with the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day. The event will feature a roundtable discussion aimed at raising awareness about the risks of language extinction and developing strategies to promote the Igbo language.
“We must act now to save our language from extinction,” Chimezie urged, commending the Yoruba for their commitment to cultural preservation while encouraging the Igbo to take similar steps.
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