Abia Government Urges Igbo People to Preserve Their Language and Culture

The Abia State Government urged residents of Abia and other South‑East states to take all necessary measures to preserve the Igbo language, culture and history from fading away.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Umuahia during the Canvas and Culture Festival organized by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Matthew Ekwuribe addressed secondary‑school students and other participants at the workshop and exhibition, stating that the government is doing everything possible to keep the Igbo language, culture and history alive and to strengthen them.

He noted that some young people of Igbo descent struggle to express themselves in the Igbo language or demonstrate knowledge of their culture, but affirmed that the state government has taken steps to prevent this trend from taking root in Abia.

The commissioner highlighted the bold actions taken by Governor Alex Otti’s administration to rehabilitate Civil War heritage sites, including the Ojukwu Bunker, the National War Museum and other cultural and historical locations in the state.

Ekwuribe added that the Arts and Culture Festival is designed to uncover future artistic talents in the state, and that it will help address youth unemployment and boost the state’s economy.

Speaking at the event, Governor Alex Otti urged secondary‑school students and other young people in the state to seize opportunities in the arts industry.

Otti, represented by his deputy Ikechukwu Emetu, pledged to continue the administration’s support for the arts, culture and creative economy sectors in Abia.