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.

THE IGBO CHILDREN'S DAY FOR CULTURE, ABUJA

Ikechukwu Okafor hosts Igbo Children in Abuja

It was an atmosphere of culture as Ndi'Igbo in the Federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja, recently celebrated the newly introduced Annual Igbo Children's day for language and culture, IFMA INITIATIVE (Igbo ga adi foundation) a non governmental organization seeking to revive and sustain the Igbo language and culture introduced and hosted the event which took place at the City Park, Wuse 2 Abuja, on the 31st of October 2013.

The ceremony recorded a large turn out of children from various schools, which also enjoyed the presence of many icons of Igbo land including traditional rulers, governors and politicians.
It was fun watching children entertain guests in mother tongue, playing various native games such as NCHO, UGA, PROVERBS etc, remarkably there was an on the spot cook show of Igbo native delicacies. The children evoked memories of long forgotten Igbo identities.

Speaking at the event, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu MFR said he was greatly impressed that a ceremony such as this came at the time it was needed most. He traced how it all started with him as a lover of Igbo race during the outbreak of the Civil War as a student of University of Nigeria Nsukka.

He fought to ensure that the Igbo race is preserved. Iwuanyanwu pleaded that November 16, the birthday of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, should be adopted as the world Igbo day, he commended Ikechukwu Okafor for initiating and hosting such a laudable annual celebration which is for the good and future of Ndi'Igbo.

Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife CON applauded the initiative and described the yearly ceremony as a history making ceremony, which would stand as a legacy for the coming generations.

He blamed parents and schools for encouraging the dying language and culture of Ndi'Igbo.

Host and Initiator of the ceremony, Mr Ikechukwu Okafor, thanked those who supportted the project for the love of the Igbo race. "The future of Igbo race is in our hands, the sustainability of the Igbo language and identity is our collective responsibility.
"It is sad that we have allowed the white man's culture to swallow ours, our language is suffering dearly as over 80 percent of our children can no longer speak Igbo language let alone write it. It is a worrisome development and a big challenge for Ndi'Igbo Okafor said.

WELCOME MESSAGE

Igbo Ga Adi Foundation welcomes you to its official blog.

We are committed to reviving and preserving the Igbo Language,Culture and Identity.

This blog serves as a medium of showcasing the beauty and pride of the Igbo man.

Igbo Ga Adi Foundation is an offshoot of Igbo Films Music & Achievers Initiative (IFMA Iniative)

We welcome and appreciate articles, pictures and videos depicting and promoting our rich cultural heritage. Such can be sent to us inbox at ifmainitive@gmail.com