Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appointed four professors to drive research and revive the Igbo language amid fears of extinction.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has appointed four professors under its Professorial Endowment Chair initiative to prevent the extinction of the Igbo language.
The appointed scholars include Mercy Nnyigide of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Boniface Mbah of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ngozi Emeka-Nwobi of Ebonyi State University, and Ngozi Chukwukere of Imo State University.
The initiative follows a 2025 pledge by the organisation to establish seven professorial chairs in Igbo studies across universities in Igbo-speaking states.
Speaking at the event in Enugu, the President-General of Ohanaeze, John Azuta-Mbata, said the move was prompted by repeated warnings from UNESCO that the Igbo language is endangered.
He noted that the programme aims to promote research, documentation, and academic engagement in Igbo language and culture.
Azuta-Mbata explained that the professorial chairs form part of a broader plan to revive interest in the language, with additional initiatives including scholarships, bursaries, and digital learning platforms.
He also disclosed plans to train about 200 youths in coding and Artificial Intelligence to complement cultural preservation with modern skills.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Professorial Chair Endowment, Damian Opata, described the initiative as groundbreaking, noting that it would stimulate research and curriculum development in Igbo studies both locally and in the diaspora.
Similarly, Fred Eze, Secretary of the board, said the selection process involved rigorous evaluation of research proposals and academic credentials.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Boniface Mbah expressed appreciation and pledged commitment to advancing Igbo language scholarship.
He expressed confidence that with sustained collaboration, the Igbo language would not only survive but thrive for future generations.
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