The World Igbo Congress (WIC) on Saturday said the learning of Igbo history and culture would become compulsory in  primary and secondary schools in Igbo speaking states of Nigeria in 2014.

WIC, at its 19th Annual Convention in Texas, USA, said the compulsory learning of Igbo history and culture was necessitated by the fact that youths of Igbo extraction were fast losing touch with Igbo language and culture.

Mr Joe Eto, Chairman of the group, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the teaching of the subjects was expected to commence by 2014 academic session.

“If you do not know your history, you face the risk of losing your identity and being misguided in handling and preserving your heritage.’’

He said the books for the courses would be produced by some Igbo historians who had been authorised to do so by the group.

Eto added that WIC would liaise with state and local government administrations in Igbo speaking states to make the books affordable and available to all schools.

On 2015 elections, the WIC chairman, urged Igbos to aspire to produce the president, saying that the group had brilliant minds to lead Nigeria.

“Other geographical zones in the country have produced presidents except the Igbo.  Why will anyone say it is not now for the south east to produce the next president of Nigeria?’’

He said he was dismayed by violation of the rights of Igbos, stressing that the group would continue to utilise its membership of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) to solicit its assistance in arresting the problem.

According to him, the WIC members would continue to work with the UN to achieve the Igbo agitation against unwarranted killings. (NAN)