Confab 2023: The Lion in Centre for Igbo Studies, UNN set to roar again – Prof.  Agbedo

Chris Uchenna Agbedo (PhD), is a Professor of Linguistics and Director, Centre for Igbo Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). He recently spoke to Journalists in Nsukka  on a number of issues, including the Centre’s forthcoming maiden (Hybrid) International Conference in August 2023, the proposed Igbo Village Project, UNN, among others. JUDE OSSAI, Editor, Daily News Nigeria was there.

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Excerpt:

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Que: What is the Centre for Igbo Studies all about?

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 Ans: Thanks for having me as I formally and warmly welcome you to the Centre for Igbo Studies (CIS), University of Nigeria Nsukka. The Centre was established in 2014 essentially to see to the promotion, development, and sustenance of the Igbo language, literature, and culture. Before my appointment as Director in 2021 by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, the Centre has had three Directors – Dr. Tony Nwaezeigwe, Prof. Gabriella I. Nwaozuzu, and Prof. Roseline Ijeoma Okorji.

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Que: How have your experiences been so far as the Director of Centre for Igbo Studies?

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Ans: My experiences since my appointment have been quite challenging but the good thing is that I have been literally in a hurry to make a difference in many positive ways. When I assumed duty in August, 2021, I was fully determined to ‘hit the ground running’ (apologies to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu) but I was soon to discover that the challenges on ground were quite enormous. Despite the tireless efforts in terms of laudable proposals and concrete steps taken by my predecessors to address the academic, administrative, and infrastructural needs of the Centre, it was clearly obvious to me from the realities on ground that running the affairs of the Centre wasn’t going to be a tea party. However, as the cliché goes, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough gets going’. So, to answer your question straight, my experiences have been very daunting but I am in concert with staff on ground determined to weather the storm and make a difference.

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 Que: In concrete terms, what have you been able to achieve so far?

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Ans: My modest achievements so far include but not limited to the following: strict adherence to work ethics and staff attitudinal change, reactivation of the Centre’s weblink to the UNN portal and uploading of staff profile for easy access and visible online presence, launching of the Centre on social media platforms, proposed Marshal Plan for infrastructural repositioning of the Centre, staff appraisals and subsequent promotion of both academic, administrative, and technical staff, hosting of workshops on UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day in February 2022 and 2023, securing parallel appointment of four staff members of my base Department, Linguistics, Igbo & Other Nigerian Languages as Research Fellows in CIS; introduction and broadcast of Igbo programmes by CIS Lion FM team, securing partnerships and collaborations with UNESCO, Council of Igbo States in America (CISA), Igbo World Assembly (IWA), and Ohaneze Ndigbo; planning and executing the forthcoming maiden hybrid international conference in August 2023; initiating the Igbo Village Project; online Igbo teaching and learning programme, kick-starting the Centre’s in-house journals, and a number of other packages in the offing. The list is growing by day for which we remain eternally grateful to God for His grace.

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 Que: How does the planned international conference fit into the institutional framework of the Centre?

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Ans: The Centre for Igbo Studies was primarily established as a research and learning resource Centre with major focus on Igbo Studies. Therefore, organising conferences, workshops, and seminars on Igbo language, literature, and culture is key to actualising the core mandate of the Centre. This explains our decision to hold the hybrid international conference in August, that is barely two months from now. The Conference’s central theme – ‘Reimagining Igbo Studies in 21st Century Nigeria’ and related sub-themes – seeks to leverage multidisciplinary dialectics in interrogating the strands that make up the enriching tapestry of the Igbo lived experiences. Scholars, researchers, and students are being invited to submit abstracts and panel proposals on any aspect of Igbo studies that may be relevant to the overarching tenor of the Conference. Pre-Conference activities, which hold on Wednesday, 16 August 2023 will feature Charity Walk for Igbo, Ịwa Ji Ndigbo (New Yam Festival), Cultural Carnival (mmanwụ festival, wrestling & performing/creative arts competitions) at the Freedom Square of Nsukka Campus. The opening ceremonies, to be chaired by Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze (Onowu Abagana and Chairman CISA Board of Presidents, USA) will take place on Thursday, 18 August 2023 at Princess Alexandria Auditorium (PAA), UNN. Chief Nnia Nwodo (former President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo) will be the keynote speaker. Of course, it goes without saying that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, who has graciously approved our request to hold the conference, will be the Chief Host of the occasion. The lead papers include High Chief Dr. Emma Obiesie (Professor & Dean, School of Business, Okan International University, Davie Florida USA & Turkey), Peter A. Akah (former Vice Chancellor, IMSU Owerri and professor of pharmacology & toxicology, UNN; Cecilia Eme (Professor of Linguistics, Unizik Awka), Prof James Ogbonna (Vice Chancellor, SUMAS, Igbo-Eno Enugu State), Dr. Tobechukwu Omemma (Professor of Political Science, UNN & Berlin University of Technology, Berlin Germany, Dr Ogbonna Onuoha (Professor of Linguistics & DVC, Abia State University, Uturu. Also billed for the conference are Prof Douglas Chambers (Emeritus Professor of History, University of Southern Mississippi, USA), Dr Kevin J. Hales (Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia), Dr Sydney Louis Davis (Director, Igbo Landing Project and Afrimerican Culture Initiative, Boston Massachusetts), Hon Chudi Asidianya (CISA President Emeritus & CEO CA-MPR Inc. Ontario Canada), and Emmanuel Ugwu (Researcher, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Australia). We’re in the process of securing the commitment of Catholic, Anglican and Methodist Bishops of Nsukka to the Conference as spiritual fathers of the day. Many political leaders and business icons of homeland Igbo and in diaspora as well traditional rulers of various communities and kingdoms in Igbo land would be in attendance. Of course, we have already received abstract submissions from many prospective conferees on the different sub-themes.

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 Que: What is the purpose of your proposed Igbo Village project?

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Ans: The unveiling of the proposed Igbo Village Project (IVP) will be the major highlight of the opening ceremonies. The 25-page document of the Centre for Igbo Studies (CIS), University of Nigeria, Nsukka Nigeria, contains details of the 18-key point Marshal Plan (MP) for the establishment of Igbo Village as a cultural centre, which forms part of the core mandate of the Centre as envisioned by the authorities of the University of Nigeria. The conceptual framework for the Igbo Village (IVP) as an Igbo learning resource centre revolves around the preservation, promotion, and celebration of Igbo culture, heritage, and traditions within a university context. The Igbo Village as a cultural centre aims to create a dynamic space that promotes cultural exchange, fosters research and education, preserves cultural heritage, and celebrates the vibrant traditions of the Igbo people within the university context, in this regard, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as the cradle of tertiary education in Igbo land, southeast Nigeria. By actualising these key principles, the Igbo Village aspires to serve as a bridge between the past and present, preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people while promoting cultural exchanges, intercultural dialogues, understanding, and appreciation. The Igbo Village mission is to become a beacon of Igbo cultural excellence, fostering cultural preservation, research, education, and community engagement within the context of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. To this effect, we envision a vibrant and inclusive space where the rich heritage of the Igbo people is showcased, studied, and cherished, fostering a deep appreciation and respect for Igbo traditions and values. We aim at actualising 20 potential deliverables, which represent a broad spectrum of outcomes that the Igbo Village aims to achieve within a 10-year short-, medium-, and long-term development plan. The proposed activities include development of a curriculum for the Igbo Village as a university-based research centre, developing Igbo Village as a Learning Resource Centre for homeland and diasporic Igbo children; reconnecting Igbo children born and bred in urban centres in Nigeria and the diaspora with their cultural and ancestral roots; mounting acculturation, enculturation, and immersion programmes; intercultural dialogues and exchanges; collaborative strategies, etc.

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 Que: The Igbo village concept sounds very bright and laudable but how about funding?

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Ans: Yes; funding is always a challenge but we’ll not shy away from dreaming big and seeking legitimate ways to realise our big dreams. As the Igbo proverbs says, ‘Agaghị ejiri maka mgbagbu ghara ọgụ (The fear of getting killed in a war should not scar one away from the battle field). The Igbo Village project is a justifiable and reasonable war and we must prosecute it with every ounce of energy and drop of blood in our veins. It is an idea whose time has come. We shall use the opportunity offered by the International Conference to appeal for fundraising and other forms of assistance to enable Centre to actualise the lofty vision and mission of the Igbo Village. Also, we have started discussing the prospects, issues, and challenges of establishing the Centre’s Igbo Village Project with a consortium of relevant stakeholders ably led by Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, CEO Victorian Care Medical Group Inc, Los Angeles California. So far, the engagements have been quite heartwarming and the prospects of a successful establishment of CIS’s Igbo Village complex are getting brighter by the day. We’re doing our best hoping that our best will be good enough to see us through the teething constraints of the new project. Above all, we have implicit confidence in our prayers to God in this regard. If it is God’s will, then the Igbo Village is a fait accompli.

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 Que: What is the disposition of the current university administration towards the project?

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Ans: Very favourable and quite encouraging indeed. I can tell you for free that the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof Igwe is quite upbeat about the project. We saw it in the VC the day I led my staff members on a courtesy visit to him and also the day I went to see him with the architectural design of the permanent site plan for his consideration and approval. He gave his provisional approval though subject to availability of space to be confirmed by the Physical Planning Unit. That is where we are now. In essence, the establishment of the Igbo Village as a cultural centre holds great potential for preserving, promoting, and celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of the Igbo people. With clear vision, mission, and strategic plan in place, the Igbo Village seeks to be a vibrant hub for cultural studies, education, research, and community engagement. Through collaborative partnerships, robust funding strategies, and effective stakeholder engagement, the Igbo Village is sure to secure the necessary resources and support and bring its vision to life. The development of infrastructure, recruitment of qualified staff, and the implementation of diverse programmes and initiatives will ensure the cultural centre’s success in achieving its objectives.

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Que: Finally, what does the future hold for Igbo studies in the light of the whirlwind of language endangerment and possible extinction swirling around it in contemporary times?

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Ans: That is exactly the reason that informed the convening of the International Conference, the central theme of which is intended to speak frontally to the emergent challenges confronting the Igbo language and indeed most indigenous languages of Nigeria and Africa with a view to articulating linguistic, socioeconomic, and political strategies for addressing them. Whether considered from the theoretical construct of Joshua Fishman’s (1991) Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (GIDS) or the perspective of Lewis & Simmons (2009) Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), the threat, which language endangerment poses to virtually all indigenous Nigerian languages, including Igbo is potent and real. Therefore, the reality on ground imposes unavoidable requirement on all of us to do everything within the limits of our human capacity to stem the language endangerment tide tugging the Igbo language in the face. The siddon dey look stance is no longer an option. In the Centre for Igbo Studies UNN, we have woken up to this unsettling and disturbing reality. The roar in the lions and lionesses is characteristically archetypal and immutable. The Great and Super Lions and Lionesses from Igbo Homeland and in the Diaspora are set to return to the Den. The local, national, continental, and global chapters of the UNN Alumni are ‘threatening’ to reinvent Igbo studies. The roar in them will come alive with majestic fluidity and feline resonance, come August 2023. The destination point is Centre for Igbo Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka. Together, we can carry the Igbo studies – the broken-waisted woman – with relative ease as if she is not heavy. Anyị paliri ye fwụẹrẹrẹ kẹ ọ dụgụ ẹrụa, (thanks to Father Paul Obayi, Fada Ọkụnerere).