Preserving our history and heritage is our sole responsibility
- Stella Omagbitse Okos-Iboje
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Recently, a bold and beautiful moment for African heritage made international headlines.
The Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, declared June 14th as "Igbo Day", honoring the Nigerian ethnic group’s contributions and cultural richness.
“This day recognizes the remarkable history, resilience, and impact of the Igbo people across the world,” the governor said.
While this may seem like a distant event, it holds a very personal message for every African parent and educator: If we don’t preserve our history, someone else will and they’ll shape the narrative.
What made this moment possible?
The answer is simple: Generations of Igbo families have consistently passed down their language, customs, and values. They celebrated it in their homes. They taught it to their children. They lived it out loud.
And now, the world is paying attention.
Why This Matters to Every African Household
In many African countries today, history is slowly being erased from school curricula. Foreign content has taken over early education. Our folktales, traditional names, and proverbs are fading.
We risk raising a generation disconnected from the legacy of Africa.
But we have the power to change this.
Here’s What You Can Do:
Start at home. Share African stories, songs, and proverbs with your children.
Encourage cultural pride. Celebrate your child’s native name. Talk about your village, tribe, or hometown.
Support learning initiatives. Programs like the LearnHistory Africa Essay Competition give children a platform to explore Africa’s past and their role in its future.
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