The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has strongly opposed the Lagos State government’s policy mandating the exclusive teaching of Yoruba in state-owned schools. The group has vowed to take legal action against the government over what they consider an unfair and exclusionary policy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Umuahia, IWA National President Nneka Chimezie expressed deep concern over the legislation. According to her, Lagos, as a diverse and cosmopolitan state, should accommodate the linguistic needs of all ethnic groups residing there.
“They should make it open: Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba – should be taught,” she stated, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in education.
Despite the criticism, Chimezie acknowledged the Yoruba people’s dedication to preserving their language. She urged the Igbo community to take similar steps to ensure the survival of the Igbo language, warning against its gradual extinction.
To reinforce this effort, IWA plans to host an event on February 21 in Umuahia, marking the United Nations Mother Tongue Day. The gathering will bring together prominent Igbo figures to discuss strategies for preserving their language.
“We are coming together to talk about our language, rub minds to see how we can stop our language from going into extinction. We are going to have a roundtable, after which we will come up with a communique,” she explained.
Beyond language concerns, Chimezie also called on Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo to address human rights issues involving Agunechemba, a local vigilance group. She condemned their reported extrajudicial actions and urged them to follow legal procedures when handling suspects.
“When they make arrests, they should hand the suspects over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution rather than killing them. Agunechemba has no right to arrest and kill, and there has been too much blood-letting and killing of our youths in the South-East,” she said.
IWA’s stance highlights a broader call for fairness, inclusivity, and justice in both education and security matters affecting the Igbo community.
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