The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), a prominent pressure group affiliated with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has vowed to challenge the Lagos State government in court over its new legislation mandating the exclusive teaching of the Yoruba language in state-owned schools.
At a press briefing in Umuahia, IWA National President Nneka Chimezie expressed concerns about the law, arguing that it was inappropriate for Lagos, a cosmopolitan state that hosts people from various ethnic backgrounds.
“They should make it open: Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba – should be taught,” Chimezie said, urging for inclusivity in the curriculum. Despite her opposition to the law, Chimezie praised the Yoruba for preserving their language, emphasizing the importance of language in cultural preservation.
In addition to the legal battle, IWA has announced plans to celebrate the Igbo language on February 21 to mark the United Nations’ Mother Tongue Day. The event will be held in Umuahia and is expected to bring together prominent figures from Igboland to discuss ways to prevent the extinction of the Igbo language.
“We are coming together to talk about our language, rub minds to see how we can stop our language from going into extinction,” Chimezie said.
Furthermore, Chimezie called on Anambra Governor Charles Soludo to take action against the extra-judicial killings by the Agunechemba vigilance group in the region, urging proper legal procedures for arrests and investigations.
“Agunechemba has no right to arrest and kill,” she stated, stressing the need for justice and accountability in the South-East.