Renowned writer Chimamanda Adichie has said Igbos in Lagos (Ndi-Igbo Lagosians) are too ashamed to speak Igbo. According to the writer, Igbos who grew up in Lagos run away from their ‘Igbos -ness’ especially in public.
She added that they ‘Igbos’ lost the war because they became ashamed.
See what she said
What reactions from some Nigerians were like
Go to top offices in both public and private sectors in Lagos to see a fellow Igbo in one big position,as soon as you start with Igbo greeting,most will immediately form unfamiliarity with you and respond in English especially where there are non Igbos there in his environment
— Consigliere (@NICCOLO_25025) May 31, 2018
Chimamanda is obviously saying the truth. Its not just igbos resident in Lagos alone, its worldwide. Igbos have abandoned their heritage and the language is gradually eroding. You need to be igbo to understand what she is saying
— Chukwuemeka Nnadozie (@ChNnadozie) May 31, 2018
Been having this conversation on my TL.She should have framed it better because i have encountered some who did not have the opportunity to speak as fluently or due to integration have to learn other languages.Some others i know have not bothered to care. But Ashamed i think not.
— ijeoma miriam (@ijeoma_miriam) May 31, 2018
My name is Churchill Obinna Okonkwo. I am Igbo, I lived in Lagos, but was never ashamed of speaking Igbo even in the office environment. #WeAreIgbosWeAreNotAshemed
— Churchill Okonkwo (@Churchillnnobi) May 31, 2018
She should go to Ladipo or come to my area in Okota.😀
Blatant and hasty generalization😙— Mr Man (@MisterOrimoloye) May 31, 2018
I’m a teacher in one of Lagos State public school, 79% of our student’s are Igbo’s.
They are even intimidating we teachers with their Language @AdichieSpeaks should say something else jare.— OmoIyaAshabi (@Sodiksan) May 31, 2018
It depends on the class of people she met. I speak Igbo once your name sounds Ibo. In my house, We speak 80% Igbo so that it will rub on my children. I will never be asheamed of my language. NEVER.
I think this lady is wrong…I am Igbo and I am in Lagos and I speak igbo
Ndigbo Please Answer Me!
Is what Samantha Dugas is saying true that some of you in Lagos are now ashamed of speaking Igbo?
Igbo, the mother language of the whole world, that gave birth to every language in the world?
You dont want to speak the original language anymore? Is that so?
So you want to speak only pidgin oyibo?
And we hear some of you have started speaking Hebrew too! Is that true?
Oh yes, I think they have already started force teaching you Arabic to prepare to islamize you and impose sharia law on you!
Many of you already speak Hausa, Yoruba, French, German, Hindu, Russian and many others!
In that case, soon it will be Chinese, because they are now busy taking over Africa!
Don’t be surprised if very soon your schools will demand that you must take courses in Chinese and speak it too!
It is now happening in Jamaica!
Check it out in YouTube!
The Jamaicans are protesting because if you don’t speak Chinese you won’t be able to get many jobs in Jamaica anymore!
By the way, do you know why you, Ndigbo are skilled and good in speaking other languages?
The reason is that, linguistic prowess is in your genes because your language Igbo, is the mother of all the languages in the world!
Don’t misunderstand me!
It is good and pragmatic to know how to speak other languages besides your own Igbo, but it is not alright to abandon your mother’s tongue Igbo because you want to be and speak Oyiboo, German, Russian or Chinese!!!
Mbanu, Ndigbo!!!
Ka Chukwu gozie unu!
@worldigbo
Just contribute your own ideas and let the readers decide, OK?
So, let the following erudite Igbo scholars respond!
Ancient Man Onye Gbo Igbo
Ndigbo Ancientones Onyegboo
Maa Ndu
Eze Ezekwesiri II
Yahushira Mashiriya
Inno White
Nnamdi Nwagbara Alusi Tehete
Og Amazu
Ndozi Odinani
Ezinne Nwokoye
Onyebummo Okeke
Chiemere Okereke
Ijelegizida Omenigbo
Njokubuisi
Onyia Nkalari
Ogoo Nath
Nna Nna Ndigbo
Samantha Dugas
Biafra Igweocha
Abum Oku
Biafra Reigns
Emeka Kolo
Ezeudo Chibuike
Ferdinand Mako
Ida Martinez
Okwy China
Chike Mario
And many other modern Igbo intellectuals and historians!
Please comment!
Thank you!
Peace!