Umuaka News24

Why are some people now writing UMUAKAH instead of UMUAKA?

Who introduced the “H”?

When did it start?

Who approved it?

And most importantly — is UMUAKAH officially recognised in government records?

These are some of the questions raised by Dr. ASC Nonso, who has called on Igbo language teachers, scholars, linguists and Akalites to clarify the matter.

According to Dr. Nonso, the traditional spelling is:

UMUAKA

—not UMUAKAH.

He argues that the Igbo vowel sounds, ụdaume, include:

a, e, i, ị, o, ọ, u, ụ

and questions the linguistic basis for adding “H” after the final vowel simply to emphasise pronunciation.

He asks: if this method is correct, should we also begin writing:

Njabah instead of Njaba
Imoh instead of Imo
Abiah instead of Abia
Anambrah instead of Anambra
Ebonyih instead of Ebonyi
Enuguh instead of Enugu

Of course, names and spellings can evolve — but who has the authority to change the spelling of a community’s identity, and on what basis?

Dr. Nonso also recognises that some autonomous communities have adopted spellings containing “H”, particularly where local identities have developed from names such as Aka to Akah.

However, he argues that this should not automatically result in changing the general identity of UMUAKA.

🔴 THE QUESTION FOR GOVERNMENT

Those with access to government records and institutions are being asked to provide a simple answer:

What is our town officially registered as?

👉 UMUAKA?
or
👉 UMUAKAH?

If UMUAKAH is the official spelling, when was it adopted and by which authority?

If it is not, why are we increasingly seeing it used?

This conversation is bigger than the letter H.

It is about our language, our history, our identity and the name we pass on to our children.

📢 AKALITES, LET’S TALK!

Is it UMUAKA or UMUAKAH — and what is your reason?

Let the Igbo scholars and language experts settle this once and for all.

Dr ASC Nonso was responding to Hon. Akurulo in umuaka peoples Assembly platform 2.

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