By Tony Adibe
The Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, on Thursday, endorsed maiden Igbo language concert, which is tagged: “Surugawa Igbo”, being organised by Igbo Efula (Otu Asusu Igbo) Movement.
The Chairman of the Council, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, gave the endorsement when Mazi Ikechukwu Oji, President of Igbo Efula, 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, the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, expressed gratitude to the members of Igbo Efula for making out time to work for the promotion of Igbo language.
Igbo language promotion concert is a selfless and very important task this group is performing on behalf of Ndígbo, especially the traditional rulers, who are the custodians of language and culture, according to him. Asadu, who is the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugw community in Nsukka, said: “I thank you all for making out time to work for the promotion of Igbo language.
“I assure you of the support of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council. I thank you for making me your grand patron and I assure you that I shall support you fully as members of this delegation are all credible people working selflessly for Ndigbo.
“Most importantly, my predecessor, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, an astute diplomat, who retired after a sterling career and an Igbo patriot, is the Chairman of your organization’s Board of Trustees.”
The chairman said that the concert being an important assignment, he would arrange for the delegation to address an enlarged gathering of traditional rulers regarding the event and the importance of promoting Igbo language. Earlier, Oji said that the Igbo Efula (movement) had a singular mission – which is promotion of Igbo language.
According to him, 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 Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.
“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 office to reach out to traditional rulers, well-meaning sons and daughters of Ala-Igbo to support and sponsor this first Igbo language concert,” he said.
Oji said that the event had been scheduled to be held on Nov. 17, 2024, at Amadeo Event Center in Enugu. There was a presentation of the Surugawa Igbo Concert mascot to the chairman for endorsement.
