IMO ROYAL FATHERS AND THE GOVERNOR’S DIRECTIVE ON IGBO LANGUAGE
The last time I checked, the
traditional custodians domiciled in Imo State – the Eastern Heartland – had
been given a mandate to henceforth start making use of only Igbo language in any
of their official gatherings or what have you.
The
governor of the state in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha gave the lofty
directive recently, two weeks ago to be precise. According to the number-one
citizen, that was the only way the royal fathers in their entirety could prove
to their teeming subjects that they are indeed traditional custodians.
Reminding this revered group of leaders that
they were supposed to speak only Igbo language during their official
deliberations was, to assert the least, shameful and an ear-sore. I wonder why
they would wait for someone let alone the governor to remind them the fundamental
and statutory practices that are expected of their persons; such is
unequivocally an aberration.
Isn’t
it weird and mind-boggling to observe any royal father addressing the public or
any social function in a foreign language? It becomes more troubling when
realized that the reason they deliberate mainly in English language is that
they see it as the only way they could prove to their subjects that they are
enlightened and learned. They do so, thereby forgetting that it is obviously
amusing and ridiculous to see a man who is well clad in an Igbo traditional
regalia address his people in a foreign language; probably they aren’t aware of
this fact, thus this is the high time they did.
Well, it’s pertinent to acknowledge
that this humble critique was occasioned by the compelling need to notify the
governor on the essence of ensuring that all his eminent directives and
pledges, as the case may be, are duly implemented to the people’s delight. In
other words, it is thus needless to reiterate the need to ensure that this very
directive on Igbo language does not stop at mere pronouncement.
It suffices to say that every tool within the
governor’s ambit ought to be utilized towards ensuring that such laudable
instruction is strictly adhered to by its recipients. Our royal fathers must be
meant to note in practical terms that they have really derailed as regards the
modus operandi binding their sacred institution. Yes, ‘sacred’ in the sense
that not everyone would be found worthy to be a member; in the sense that it
remains an institution comprising individuals who are supposed to safeguard our
customs at all cost. Of course, it is not anymore news that every custom is
required to be treated as sacred and sacrosanct owing to its uniqueness.
Still on the need to ensure that every
directive is duly implemented, I wish to use this medium to humbly remind His
Excellency that on assumption of office in 2011 as the Executive Governor of
the state, he outrightly without much ado directed the state’s royal fathers
residing in the Diaspora to earnestly return to their respective autonomous
communities. It’s no longer news that most of these traditional rulers are
resident abroad; a scenario that could best be described as an eyesore.
It’s saddening to note that the
governor’s directive on this was flouted or perhaps considered as frivolous or
trivial. Till date, majority of these ‘traditional custodians’ are still
enjoying their residences variously situated outside their communities. Such
practice as this is completely out of context in regard to the laws binding any
autonomous community in existence. The scenario is not in any way funny or
laughable, thus remains a very serious matter yearning for apt attention.
As a result of this ugly trend,
sometimes a certain case seeking for a royal father’s intervention would have
to wait till the traditional ruler returns from the city where he is based. No
doubt, we are not unaware of the inevitable implications of such obnoxious
process, especially in a situation whereby the case in question requires an
urgent attention, or needs to be addressed in earnest. I will not hesitate to
say categorically that this manner of practice is really ridiculing the
traditional institutions not just in Imo but across the Igbo nation.
I equally want to remind the governor
that, sometime ago, he promised Imolites that elections would be conducted
among these royal fathers toward producing those that would be in charge of
their union’s leadership. Though the said union enjoys a viable leadership at
the moment, it’s imperative to comprehend that such leaders were not drawn from
any election; so, the governor’s pledge was not unconnected with this fact. The
amiable governor ought to be reminded that Imolites in their totality are still
awaiting that election.
At this juncture, having made my views
known, I wish to re-appeal to the teeming royal fathers to please endeavour to
acknowledge that thousands of Imolites, if not millions, are looking up to them,
thus are required to invariably strive towards doing the needful. They are
expected to be party to activities that would help to uplift the tradition
which the Igbos are widely known for, and not otherwise.
Most importantly, they must be very
close to their respective subjects, so that, they would at all times feel free
to present their plights before them. It is very appalling to realize that most
of our young ones are yet to know the names of their various traditional rulers
let alone knowing their facial outlooks.
All in
all, this recent directive of the governor, which I tagged a ‘wake-up call’,
should not be swept under the carpet. Hence, let all the parties involved
ensure that every commendable directive given thus far are holistically
implemented, so that, we wouldn’t wake one morning and witness the unspeakable.
Think about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri
____________________________________
Twitter: @mediambassador
http://facebook.com/TheMediaAmbassador
