National Library to unveil Nigerian languages’ map

The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) says efforts are being made to preserve Nigeria’s indigenous languages. Part of the efforts, Prof Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said includes the engagement of communities nationwide to create a Nigerian language map aimed at preserving the mother languages. Anunobi said doing so […]

The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) says efforts are being made to preserve Nigeria’s indigenous languages.

Part of the efforts, Prof Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said includes the engagement of communities nationwide to create a Nigerian language map aimed at preserving the mother languages.

Anunobi said doing so would prevent “our culture from going into extinction.”

According to her, this is not just the map of Nigeria but much more, as it contains the languages spoken in each state.

She spoke Thursday in Abuja during an event held to commemorate the 2024 International Mother Language Day.

The event was organized by the NLN in partnership with Kairos Tablets and Scrolls.

Daily Trust reports that the International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote literacy and multilingualism amongst Nigerians.

Anunobi said: “The National Library is unrelenting in ensuring the realization of the decade’s focus. Therefore, the celebration provides another window to demonstrate our commitment. Hence we have engaged communities in all the states of the Federation to collate and create what we refer to as, the Nigerian Language Map.

“This is not just the map of Nigeria, but much more as it contains the languages spoken in each state. This Map will be printed and placed in our reading halls, as a reference material in all our state branches.

“In addition to that, we are currently working on a compendium of the alphabets and numerals of our indigenous languages. We consider this as the very first and critical step towards the preservation of our languages.”

The Managing Director of Kairos Tablets and Scrolls, Dr. Zakama Kabura, said imperialism was one of the major killers of indigenous languages.