Mark today's date. Peter Okoye (Mr P) will come back here in a few years' time to seek forgiveness from Ndi Igbo over his recent comments about Igbo language.
This would not be the first time such a thing has happened.
Many people still remember what happened with IROKOtv founder, Jason Njoku.
Around 2016 or thereabouts, Jason Njoku made comments that upset many Igbo people. He proudly stated that his children did not speak Igbo, not bear Igbo name, saying they spoke English, French, and Chinese instead, and that he had nothing to lose if his children never learned Igbo language or bearing Igbo names.
Those remarks were widely criticised because many people felt he is encouraging the gradual abandonment of the Igbo language and identity.
However, by June 2021, Jason Njoku publicly apologised to Ndi Igbo. He admitted that his earlier comments were glib, immature, and hurtful. He acknowledged that he had let his people down and described his previous attitude as foolish. He also made it clear that he was proud of his Igbo heritage and pointed out that he had given his children traditional Igbo names and start teaching them Igbo language
What made the apology even more significant was what happened during the online attacks on his business. When a group of people launched a campaign to report and bring down the IROKOtv app on app stores, many Igbo people—despite the hurt caused by his earlier comments—came together to defend him. They flooded Google Play Store and the Apple App Store with positive reviews and five-star ratings, helping to protect the platform.
Jason himself admitted that he was surprised that the very people he had offended years earlier were the ones standing by him when his business came under attack.
History has already shown that those who dismiss their language and heritage often come to appreciate their importance later. Peter Okoye will also return one day to seek forgiveness from Ndi Igbo. Mark today's date.
One thing remains true: a language is more than just a means of communication. It carries the history, identity, values, and memory of a people. Preserving it is a responsibility that passes from one generation to the next.
Ndi Igbo love themselves. Sụba Igbo!
