Nkata Ndi Iyom Igbo, Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation Champion Revival of Igbo Language, Cultural Values

Nkata Ndi Iyom Igbo, Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation Champion Revival of Igbo Language, Cultural Values

A cross-section of organisers and participants at the Nkata Ndi Iyom Igbo Foundation's Igbo-Speaking Communities: Children, Youth & Women Moral Initiative Train-the-Trainers Capacity Development Programme, organised in collaboration with the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation, at the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation Centre, Imo State University, Owerri.

Nkata Ndi Iyom Igbo, in partnership with the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation, has renewed the call for the preservation of the Igbo language, moral values, and cultural heritage, urging families, educators, traditional institutions, and community leaders to work together to safeguard the identity and future of the Igbo nation.

The renewed appeal was made during the Nkata Ndi Iyom Re-orientation on Igbo Cultural Values, held on July 22, 2026, at the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation Centre, Imo State University, Owerri. The event formed part of the Igbo-Speaking Communities: Children, Youth & Women Moral Initiative Train-the-Trainers Capacity Development Programme 2026, which brought together traditional rulers, educators, women leaders, youth mentors, and other stakeholders committed to strengthening cultural consciousness and moral leadership across Igbo communities.

Delivering the keynote address titled "Igbo Values and Ethos System: Our Heritage, Our Values, Our Future," renowned Igbo cultural advocate and public intellectual, Roz Ben Okagbue, stressed that preserving the Igbo language and value system is essential to sustaining the identity, unity, and long-term prosperity of Ndigbo.

Okagbue noted that the greatness of the Igbo people has historically been measured not by material wealth but by character, integrity, and service to society.

"Our ancestors built a civilisation founded on the sacred principles of Odinani—a moral and cosmic order that demanded accountability to both the Creator and the community. They taught us that Ezi Afa Ka Ego (a good name is better than riches) and Egbe Belu, Ugo Belu (live and let live) remain timeless principles of justice, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect," he said.

Describing language as the soul of every people, Okagbue warned that communities that neglect their native language and traditions risk losing their identity.

"People who abandon their language and culture are like birds without nests—they have no home to return to," he said.

While acknowledging the remarkable achievements of Igbo people across business, technology, education, and commerce worldwide, the keynote speaker cautioned that economic success without strong cultural and moral foundations would be difficult to sustain.

"We are globally recognised for our resilience, enterprise, and industry. From Silicon Valley to London, Lagos, and Tokyo, the Igbo footprint is visible. However, true success cannot stand without a strong foundation. Our heritage is not an outdated relic; it is the blueprint for our future," he added.

Okagbue also expressed concern over what he described as a growing identity crisis among young people, citing the declining use of the Igbo language, the weakening of traditional mentorship structures such as the Igba-Boi apprenticeship system, and an increasing obsession with instant wealth.

"The philosophy of patient labour is gradually being replaced by a dangerous get-rich-quick mentality. Many young people now desire success without sacrifice, wealth without mentorship, and recognition without integrity," he said.

He warned that the erosion of values such as honesty, hard work, and integrity threatens the moral fabric of Igbo society.

"Our forefathers regarded a good name as their greatest asset. It was their social capital and business collateral. Today, we must ask ourselves: where did we lose that priceless inheritance?" he asked.

Calling for collective action, Okagbue urged parents, schools, traditional institutions, and community leaders to deliberately transmit the Igbo language, ethical values, and cultural heritage to younger generations.

"We cannot build a sustainable future on a hollowed-out heritage. We are not gathered here to romanticise the past but to reclaim its enduring wisdom and connect it with the innovations of today's youth," he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze (SAN), who declared the programme open, underscored the importance of teaching children the Igbo language and instilling sound moral values from an early age.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, language remains the strongest symbol of cultural identity.

"No matter how educated an Igbo man or woman becomes, if they can no longer speak the Igbo language or pass it on to their children, they have lost their roots," he said.

Organisers explained that the Train-the-Trainers Capacity Development Programme is designed to equip community leaders, educators, youth mentors, and women leaders with the knowledge and practical skills needed to promote character development, cultural consciousness, and values-based leadership across Igbo-speaking communities.

Nkata Ndi Iyom Igbo and the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to advancing initiatives that preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people, strengthen shared values, and inspire a new generation of responsible leaders dedicated to integrity, community development, and cultural pride.