Culture

Enugu Speaker pledges continued support for Igbo language, culture

Published

1 year ago

March 22, 2025

Speaker Uchenna Ugwu pledges continued support for promoting Igbo language and culture, emphasizing the importance of teaching future generations

The Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, has reiterated his commitment to supporting and promoting the Igbo language and culture, ensuring its sustainability for future generations.

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He made the pledge during an event commemorating International Mother Language Day 2025 in Enugu, organised by Igbo Efula, an indigenous NGO focused on the promotion of Igbo language and culture.

In his address, Ugwu stressed the collective responsibility of every Igbo person to pass down the language and cultural heritage to the next generation. “We all have a duty to teach our children the Igbo language, culture, and our rich heritage as Ndigbo,” he said.

He also expressed his delight in seeing secondary school students actively participating in activities related to the promotion of Igbo culture.

Ugwu assured attendees that the Enugu State House of Assembly would continue to support initiatives aimed at preserving the Igbo language, ensuring that it does not go extinct.

Ugwu commended Igbo Efula for its national recognition and continuous efforts to advance Igbo language, culture, and heritage. His sentiments were echoed by Dame Ugochi Madueke, the Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, who praised Igbo Efula for its long-standing commitment to the cause.

She emphasised that while everyone has a role in promoting the Igbo language, parents have a particularly important responsibility in teaching their children to speak Igbo at home.

The event also saw contributions from Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu (Ogadagidi), Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, who pledged the support of traditional rulers in advancing the Igbo language and culture. He also extended his support to organisations like Igbo Efula that are working towards the same goal.

Prince Chukwuemeka Onyesoh (Oba Agbalanze), the Chairman of the event, urged Igbo Efula to explore partnerships with other organisations dedicated to promoting the Igbo language.

He expressed his admiration for Igbo Efula’s work and encouraged all participants to take active roles in supporting the language in their homes and communities.

Former Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Igbo Efula, called for continued support for the organisation’s efforts to revive and promote the Igbo language.

Agubuzu expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries who attended the event, acknowledging their role in fostering the growth of the Igbo language and culture.

In his opening address, Mazi Ikechukwu Oji, President of Igbo Efula, stressed the need for a stronger emphasis on making the younger generation realise the importance of speaking Igbo fluently without any sense of compulsion.

He also called for greater support from various levels of government and stakeholders in the Igbo film and music industry, which he identified as key to promoting the language on a global scale.

The event served as a reminder of the critical need for collective efforts to preserve the Igbo language and culture, ensuring it thrives for generations to come.

Through collaboration between government, traditional leaders, and organisations like Igbo Efula, the promotion of Igbo language remains a top priority in Enugu State.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”