By Adeola Tukuru
Abuja
It was a cheerful moment for Junior Secondary School (JSS) students across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when the Centre for Igbo Arts and Culture (CIAC) gave out scholarships and gifts to over 12 students who emerged the First, Second,Third and Fourth position at the just concluded Igbo Language students competition.
The Chairman of the Centre, Ezeani Sir, J. Kanayo Okoye, during the occasion yesterday in Abuja, stated that the idea of the exercise became necessary,so as to en kindle and sustain interest in our language which obviously, is fast decaying.
According to him, “UNESCO has predicted that at the current rate of loss, the Igbo language shall be extinct within the next 50 years.”
“Before us therefore is the decline of our mother tongue, and of course, a threat to our roots and the potential disappearance of our essence and identity,” he said.
According to him, it is the continuing efforts towards the pursuit of the objectives of the Centre for Igbo Arts and Culture.
He explained that the competition was held lastweek at the Government Junior Secondary School, Jabi and 98 students / teachers from 15 schools participated.
“CIAC provided awards certificate as well as cash prizes to the best performing students and teachers under various levels “
“The awards comprise Igbo books for use at different class levels, Igbo Dictionaries, 400 Igbo proverbs on CD and scholarship grants,” he said.
Also, the Director Creative Arts, FCT, Univetsal Basic Education Board (UBEB) Mrs Irene Isioma Okafor, commended the organisers fir the laudable development and expressed hope that the competition will be done in a bigger scale next year.
