Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Three different schools have clinched prizes in the 2025 edition of the Chief Fidelis Osita Nweke Igbo Language Quiz Competition.
The competition was organized by Nzuko-Ndi-Igbo Radio Programme Limited for community secondary schools in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
Community Secondary School Mgbakwu clinched the first position with a ₦1 million prize; Community Secondary School Amansea came second with a ₦700,000 prize, while Community Secondary School Achalla went home with a cheque of ₦500,000 for winning third place.
During the prize presentation at the Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS), the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nzuko-Ndi-Igbo Radio Programme Limited, Mazi Chukwudi Ejimofor, said the three schools emerged as winners from the ten schools that participated in the competition.
“The 2025 edition of the Fidelis Osita Nweke isoo mpi ajuju onu asusu Igbo had CSS Achalla, CSS Ebenebe, CSS Urum, CSS Ugbene, CSS Amanuke, CSS Ugbenu, CSS Mgbakwu, CSS Awba-Ofemmili, CSS Amansea, and CSS Isuaniocha registered for the quiz competition.”
He added, “The sponsor, Chief Fidelis Osita Nweke, CEO of Rivcon Energy & Construction Co. Ltd, graciously tagged a whopping sum of ₦2,200,000 as the prize money for the quiz competition.”
He said the competition was organized as a deliberate effort to counter the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2006 prediction of the extinction of the Igbo language.
Commending the sponsor, he called on Igbo language and culture-spirited individuals, as well as the government and organizations, to emulate the gesture and be part of the fight against the extinction of the Igbo language, culture, and folklore.
The philanthropist, Chief Fidelis Nweke, represented by Mr. Pascal Iwu, said his decision to sponsor the competition was driven by his love for Igbo culture and the need to promote the Igbo language.
“We decided to do this to see how we can revive and revitalize the Igbo language so that it can be recognized and be among the competing languages in the world.
“We are worried that the average Igbo man today lives in a borrowed culture. But no matter how hard we try to live a western lifestyle and culture, it is not sustainable. The best thing is to embrace the Igbo language and culture because it is our identity.”
The Executive Chairman of Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Hon. ThankGod Chibuike Anagor, represented by the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Scholastica Nwabufo, commended the sponsor and organizers of the competition. He encouraged the students to take the Igbo language and culture seriously, as it is their mark of identity.
The Principal of Community Secondary School Amansea, Mrs. Stella Nwafor, represented by Mrs. Sabina Okpala during the vote of thanks, described the competition as a welcome development toward the promotion of the native Igbo language.
