Anambra Firstlady Urges Ndigbo, to Embrace, Speak their Mother-Tongues with Pride

By Uche Eke

Wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has urged Nigerians, particularly the Igbo community, to embrace and proudly speak their mother tongues without shame or apology.

In a heartfelt message shared on the occasion , of the International Language Day, Mrs. Soludo described the mother language as “a treasure that everyone should carry with pride, emphasizing that no one is better positioned to protect it than those who own it.

Mrs Soludo said that there is no shame in speaking Mother Tongue, and celebrating its beauty and uniqueness urging the people to speak it without fear, limitation, and without apology.

The First Lady highlighted the rapid decline of many indigenous languages, attributing it to insufficient celebration and promotion.

She noted that a culture remains incomplete without reflecting the distinctiveness of its language, which serves as a genuine connector for communities.

Mrs. Soludo’s passionate advocacy aligns with ongoing efforts in Anambra State to revive and sustain the Igbo language amid concerns about its potential extinction among younger generations.

The International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21, was established by UNESCO to raise awareness of linguistic diversity and the importance of mother tongues in education, identity, and social inclusion.

The theme for this year is ‘Youth voices on multilingual education” highlighting the need for education systems that recognise and support learners’ languages.