No Culture Without Women At Centre, Says Varsity VC

The Vice Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State, Prof. Christian Anieke, has stressed on the importance of culture, saying that women are the custodian for continuation of culture.

He said that any cultural group that does not have women at the center would not last for a long time.

The priest stated this during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between the university and the Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora on Igbo Language and Culture, held in Enugu on Wednesday.

According to him, Umuada Igbo represents the identity of a particular culture.

He said, “Any cultural group that does not place women at its center for continuation of its cultural group, will lose its identity with time.

“The training and handling down of culture is the role of the women and there is no culture without language.

“Why do we call language mother tongue, because the language of the mother is always the language of the child. So there is no handling down of anything without a woman,” Anieke said.

The VC noted that a brilliant culture would normally recognize woman so that they would continue to hand down the traditions, ways of life, technology, and all customs and elements of culture to their generations.

Anieke said this was the first time, a university was looking at education from the point of view of three dialogues.

“When we presented the philosophy of the three dialogues to the Nigerian Universities Authority (NUC), it was quit interesting and attracting.

“The three dialogue being pursued by the university are, the culture dialogue, the religious dialogue as everyone is religious even if he does not believe in God. Next is the epistemic dialogue,” he said.

Fr Anieke expressed joy for having been identify with the women, even as he encouraged them on their efforts towards the sustaining Igbo culture.

On her part, the president General/Founder, Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora, Chief Kate Ezeofor, said that it was expected that Igbo Language would be taught in the University both physically and virtually.

In her address, the president noted that the group had been given a space inside the University for their use.

She said, “Prof. Christian Anieke has graciously shown and given us land in the main Campus of the university for the establishment of Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora Women Development Centers.

“Others are Guest House, Event Centre and parking lot at the strategic site of the University.”

Also, she disclosed that, “HRH Raphael Offor, the Ide of Omogho community, Orumba North LGA of Anambra State for donating 7.7 hectares of land to us for the building of Umuada Igbo International Cancer and Diagnostic Centre at Omogho, Orumba North LGA of Anambra State.

She appreciated the collaboration with Godfrey Okoye University, and pledged not to disappoint the University.

Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora is an umbrella/apex body of Umuada Igbo, a global organization situated in all the states of Nigeria and in Diaspora.

The group is a cultural and non-governmental organization, with a large population of about 15million women, with headquarters in Enugu State. (NAN)