The leadership of Orluzurumee on Monday met with the Vice Chancellor of Imo State University (IMSU), Professor Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze, to advance a partnership aimed at revitalising the cultural identity of Orlu Zone and strengthening youth-focused academic collaboration.
Led by its President General, Rt. Hon. Prince Ugochukwu Nzekwe, the Orluzurumee Executive Council expressed concern over the steady erosion of core traditional values—ranging from customary marriage rites and kola-nut protocols to long-held norms of respect for elders, authority, and communal harmony.
In the statement signed by Nnamdi Cos-Ukwuoma, Publicity Secretary of Orluzurumee, the body also warned that the diminishing use of the mother tongue across homes, schools, and public institutions threatens the cultural continuity of the Orlu people.
A central component of the visit was the proposal for a joint research initiative that would document, preserve, and modernize Orlu’s cultural heritage through rigorous academic work driven by IMSU scholars in partnership with cultural custodians.
Responding, Professor Chukwumaeze praised Orluzurumee for taking the lead in cultural revival and youth reorientation. He described the near-abandonment of indigenous language as a dangerous drift toward identity loss and affirmed the university’s readiness to collaborate on cultural research, language preservation, youth empowerment programmes and intellectual projects that would reposition Orlu positively.
Both sides also explored broader areas of cooperation, including youth mentorship, behavioural reform, community security awareness, and strategies to strengthen the zone’s socio-cultural and economic standing. They agreed to establish sustainable platforms that would guide young people toward academic distinction, constructive engagement, and meaningful societal impact.
The meeting closed with mutual commitments to pursue a structured partnership that would support cultural renaissance, academic advancement, and the overall development of the Orlu nation.
