IKECHUKWU OKAFOR (IFMA INITITIATIVE & IGBO GA ADI FOUNDER)- THE IGBO LANGUAGE & CULTURE REVOLUTIONIST

                              IKECHUKWU OKAFOR

An amiable and warm personality who is in love with Igbo culture, Ikechukwu Okafor, a native of Obeledu in Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State was born in the month of June, 1978, to late Mr. Edwin Okafor and Mrs. Regina Okafor.

An old boy of Republic Secondary School, Enugu and School of Theatre Arts, Lagos, has been in the Nigerian Entertainment Industry for the past ten (10) years. A registered member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Director and Producer. 

His burning desire for the upliftment of the Igbo Language, Culture and the representation of the true Igbo identity led him to establish and found the Igbo Films, Music & Achievers Inititiative (IFMA Initiative), an organization for the projection and promotion of Igbo Films. IFMA was established not just to project the Igbo culture through films but to reward and appreciate the actors/actresses, directors, producers, marketers and great achievers of Igbo origin whose passion, commitment and contributions have helped in reviving and sustaining the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo community.

As the dearth of Igbo language in the nearest future was predicted by UNESCO and OXFORD University seems realistic with Igbo parents training their children in foreign language, Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor took the bull by the horn to ensure this negative prediction doesn't come to pass, he instituted another organization, Igbo Ga Adi Foundation, through which he organizes annual Igbo Language Essay Competition in secondary schools across the South Eastern States. This is to encourage reading, teaching and learning of Igbo language by teachers and students. On October 31, 2013, he made history by organizing the first ever Igbo children's day for language and culture in Abuja. The event rekindled interests in Igbo language and attracted the presence and support of the traditional rulers, corporate organizations, parents, students, teachers and some Igbo politicians who asked that the event be made an annual ritual.

ACHIEVEMENTS

He has directed and featured in several Nigerian home videos.

The Abuja annual event of Igbo Children’s day for Language and Culture and the Igbo Language Secondary Schools Essay Competition are to his credit.

He partners with UNESCO annually to host the International Day for African Child.

It is his desire that every Igbo child not only understands and speaks the Igbo language, but imbibes the core value of the Igbo culture.

Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor takes pride in being Igbo and identifies with anything proudly Igbo.