The passion in the man
was like a charge of electricity. Prof. Pita Ejiofor may look calm but when the
subject is the neglect of the Igbo language calmness gives place to passionate
intensity. The celebrated professor was introduced to me in Awka by the Anambra
State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba,
and almost instantly our discussion gravitated to the vexed matter of the
travails of the Igbo language.
*Prof. Pita Ejiofor |
Prof Ejiofor had
served in esteemed positions as commissioner, vice-chancellor and so on, but
what gives him the greatest oomph is the drive to save his beloved Igbo
language from extinction. He has arduously championed the cause for all of 12
years through his group Otu Suwakwa Igbo
that he initiated on February 14, 2006. He laments that a great number of Igbo
leaders can never ever be seen taking the Igbo language issue seriously.