INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE PROGRAMME IN NIGERIA

BY
NELSON EBI-COMPBELL

The primary characteristic that distinguishes man from other animals is his ability to speak. Although communication exists among other forms of life such as mammals, reptiles, and birds, they are incapable of coherent speech. This is where human communication is distinct. Information will be very effective if it passes directly from the speaker to the listener without distortion. Language as a channel of thought becomes very vital for all human community. All conscious human thoughts and experiences become possible because of language. In a heterogeneous society like Nigeria, there are various languages and dialects. The benefit of this must not be lost on us, even though it has its attendant challenges. The importance of these indigenous languages in the dissemination and presentation of culture and heritage cannot be over emphasized. The development of culture by widening the individual’s horizons, awakening his imagination and stimulating his creativity makes indigenous languages inevitable. This was the consideration that led to the establishment of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, a Parastatal in the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation. Its primary responsibility is to harness the nation’s cultural resources to meet the challenges of social integration, peace, Unity and National development. To this end, NICO is to ensure that the flames of various Nigerians indigenous languages do not go into extinction. The executive Secretary of NICO Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma has stated unequivocally at different fora that indigenous languages must be part and parcel of the socio economic life style of Nigerians. The campaign of cultural renaissance using indigenous languages as a tool is vigorously being pursued by the agency. It is interesting to note that the institute is putting together a four-week programme in Abuja to teach indigenous languages. It is designed to teach various Nigerian languages such as Izon, Gbagyi, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Edo among many others. The training aims at creating a sense of pride in indigenous languages thereby fostering national identity; creating awareness on the need to speak indigenous languages; and appreciate the need to preserve our indigenous languages thereby preserving our cultural heritage from extinction. As this commendable initiative kicks off, there is the need for stakeholders and Nigerians in general to ensure that the objectives of this national project are achieved. The nation will no doubt be better for it.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary