Igbo Essay Competition: Igbo Leaders Tasked To Emulate Mr. Valentine Chineto Ozigbo(VCO)

By Achebe Chris, Esq.

The Anambra Central People’s Forum, a socio-cultural organization championing the revival and preservation of the dying ‘Igbo Mother Tongue‘, has called on the current generation of Igbo leaders to emulate Mr. Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO), the Labour Party (LP) frontrunner in the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election, and Founder, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) Foundation, which has positively touched the lives of thousands of people in Anambra State, and has a special place for women and youths.

The socio-cultural organization described him as accomplished Igbophile with a heart of gold who treasured Igbo language and culture, and is unwavering and uncompromising in his commitment to the advancement of Igbo heritage.

The statement by the reputable public organization was made at the 3rd edition of the Grand finale of Prof. Pita Ejiofor Annual Igbo Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency held on Friday, 5th July, 2024. It was a moment of glitz and excitement as School administrators, Teachers, Traditional Rulers, Iyoms/Otu Odu, Top government officials, Politicians, DNA Federal Legislative Representative, Honourable Education Commissioner, Educational authorities, among other eminent Anambrarians, converged at the St. Kizito Girls’ Secondary School, Umudioka, to celebrate the student-winners of the Competition, organized by the Anambra Central People’s Forum, and chaired by Prof. (Engr.) Philip Nwabueze Atanmo, erstwhile President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter.

Beaming with fulfillment, the Chairman of the association, Achebe Chris, Esq., in his Message of Goodwill, accentuated: “I most sincerely thank the well-meaning attendees who have come on this auspicious occasion to demonstrate their attachment to the patriotic work of the organization, and whose presence among us lends particular splendour to this occasion “.

Achebe continued: ” The Anambra Central People’s Forum welcome in a very special way, the second Guest Speaker of this unique occasion, Mr. Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO), to this assemblage and thank you most sincerely for your dedicated time and effort that went into making this event momentous.

“Your participation and goodwill bring positive energy in moulding the younger generation to build capacity in the area of Igbo speaking, writing and research for the sustained growth of the Igbo Language in time and eternity”.

Achebe further pointed out that it is an honour to be graced by the presence of such an accomplished Igbophile, with an extraordinary passion for Igbo nationalism and renaissance.

“We thank you immensely for giving us the opportunity to tap into your reservoir of knowledge”, Achebe added.

Earlier in the occasion, he poured encomiums on the student-winners of the Competition as he announced the recipients of various prizes and invited them to the stage while the August visitor, Rt. Hon. George Ibezimako Ozodinobi, and Honourable Commissioner of Education, Anambra State, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh presented the star prizes to the deserving recipients.

At the glittering prizes presentation, First Second, Third and Fourth Prizes went to Miss Mbonu Chimamanda Chinaza (First position), Ozoemena Azuka (Second position), Anaekwe Chukwudubem Alexius (Third position), Ezeh Somtochukwu Sylvia (Third position) and Udezue Precious Chioma (Fourth Position) respectively. The student-winners were excited to have won the Competition, and expressed gratitude to the organizing body for the great opportunity, adding that it has helped them to believe in themselves and bolstered their academic confidence.
Some of the prizes won include: Television, Electric Fans, Mattress, Educational materials, Cash prizes and other exciting items.

Commissioner of Education, Anambra State speaking at the great event.

One of the major highlights of the event was Lecture presentation by Mr. Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) who spoke on “Culture of Continuous Development”.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo noted that the topic of the Igbo Essay Competition which was “Strategies to Improve the Speaking, Writing, Reading and Study of Igbo Language in the 21st Century”, was well-conceived, considering that Igbo language is fast deteriorating.

According to him, “the responsibility for ensuring that continuity, falls on the current generation of Ndigbo, the leaders and the led, because if we didn’t, no one else would”. Were that bridge to our past be broken in our time, or at any other time, we would go down in history as the generation that extinguished the torch we inherited from our forebears, he pointed out.

“It demands to be passed on to the next generations, for that is the only passport they will ever need to identify themselves as Umu Igbo”.

The abridged Lecture presentation was inspiring and electrifying, as he was able to convey his message of “Culture of Continuous Development”, and project Ka Anambra Chawapu (A brighter and better Anambra) succinctly.

Ozigbo corroborated the point made by the first Guest Lecturer, Rev. Fr. Dr. F. O. F Onwudufor (Okenye Igbo Niine).

However, noteworthy, is that some guests/invitees(including Teachers, Students, School administrators, Traditional Rulers, Iyoms/Otu Odu), got the opportunity to take pictures besides Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) which must have been most thrilling for them posing next to the promising leader!

As with every grand event, all good things must come to an end. This was not an exception! The guests had time to exchange pleasantries, after which, everyone headed home with big smiles on their faces for an afternoon well spent!