Participants count gains of language programme

The programme was initiated by Mr. J.B. Yusuf, a onetime executive secretary of the Institute, with the aim of teaching three basic Nigerian languages: Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Today it has been upgraded to include Fufulde, Gbagyi, Hausa,  Izon, Nupe, Tiv, Yoruba and Efik, bringing it to nine. At the closing ceremony, participants recounted the […]

The programme was initiated by Mr. J.B. Yusuf, a onetime executive secretary of the Institute, with the aim of teaching three basic Nigerian languages: Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Today it has been upgraded to include Fufulde, Gbagyi, Hausa,  Izon, Nupe, Tiv, Yoruba and Efik, bringing it to nine.

At the closing ceremony, participants recounted the benefits of the programme to them. The Wife of the Trinidad and Tobago envoy, who was among them, said, “For the first time, I realised that respect in the Yoruba language was not limited to actions but also words, prefixes used and pitches used in pronunciation.”

Guests were entertained through drama sketches, talks and music as participants showed off their knowledge and competence in languages acquired during the training.

Appreciating NICO for the opportunity, they however canvassed for a review in the duration of the programme in subsequent editions to allow for indebt knowledge.

Although the duration of the training was short, the participants said what they had learnt was enough for passable everyday communication.

The programme was started as a means to educate young children on various local languages during the summer holidays. With a review of the programme overtime NICO decided to extend the opportunity to government agencies, private groups and individuals who may be interested.

The 2012 edition recorded the highest number of participants since inception with no less than 2000 people registered from the public and private sectors.

Dr. George Teke, senior lecturer, Faculty of Arts, University of Abuja and Chairman of the event advised Nigerians to take pride in their indigenous languages since their identities as Nigerians are embedded in the popularity of their languages. Some of the reasons he gave was that of over 6,900languages spoken in the world today, 500 of them are spoken in Nigeria.

NICO’s boss, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, commending participants for their enthusiasm towards the programme said this year’s programme witnessed a remarkable increase in the level of participation across the country comprising children, students, members of Para-military institutions, diplomats as well as media practitioners.

He said the institute received a request from a blind man, indicating his interest to study Nigerian indigenous languages. “Although the Institute does not have the facilities, we are challenged to start making provisions for them in subsequent editions.”

In underscoring the relevance of the programme, Ayakoroma said the Institute presented a memo at the just concluded National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation held in Ilorin, Kwara State, soliciting the support of Council members to promote the programme in their respective states by providing technical assistance in the area of qualified language teachers.

“Such steps would facilitate the take-off of the weekend study programme in those states, which will boost acceptance and participations. The successful launch of the weekend programme will make it convenient for a greater number of people to participate while minority languages will also be covered.

Declaring the edition closed, Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who was represented by the Director, Research and Documentation Department of the Ministry, Mr. Chudi Uwandu said the Ministry is appreciative of the critical role of language as a vehicle for the promotion and transmission of culture from one generation to the other.