(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Ezenwo-Nyesom-Wike-300x168.jpg) Worried by the gradual disappearance and diminishing use of mother tongue by Nigerians, the Federal Government has expressed its resolve to take measures towards arresting the situation.
Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who gave the assurance at the annual International Mother Language Day ceremony held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said the celebration symbolizes the universal right of nationalities of continuous use and preservation of their own languages.
Wike reiterated government's commitment to promoting multi-lingual in the basic education system to ensure that the young ones are encouraged to learn not only their mother language but other indigenous languages.
The Minister who was represented by his Technical Assistant, Dr. Olu Ayewo, stressed that the government would pursue the successful usage of standardized orthographies of four Nigerian languages namely Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Ijaw, which was developed by the Ministry of culture and Tourism, even as he assured that government would not allow any particular language to enjoy undue hegemony over other languages irrespective of how many people that speak them.
Barrister Wike commended the Bayelsa State Government for its interest in re-awakening the teaching and learning of Ijaw language, saying that the decision to move the 2013 edition of international mother language day to Bayelsa State was in recognition of the State Government's giant strides in this direction and urged other state government to do same.
In line with the theme of this year's celebration, "The Book," the Minister said the Ministry was ready to collaborate with stakeholders to promote writing, reading and appreciation of literary works in indigenous languages, noting with satisfaction the existing collaboration among Federal Ministry of Education, UNESCO, Bayelsa State Government, as well as Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN).
The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, in his speech at the occasion enjoined Federal Ministry of Education to include teaching of Ijaw language in its National curriculum as have been done with some other languages, bearing in mind its position as fourth largest tribe in Nigeria.
According to him, steps were being taken to publish books in the different dialects of Ijaw such as Kolokumo, Nembe, Ogbia, Epie, Mein and others, to aid their preservation.
The Governor, who was represented by Secretary to Government of the State, Professor Alison Oguru, presented a cheque of 10 million Naira, being scholarship awards for one hundred and ten students of Ijaw language at the Niger Delta University.
Director General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, represented by Ms. Ngozi Awuzie, stressed the importance of multi-lingual as a source of strength and opportunity for humanity.
Bokova, said that this year theme seeks to explore the link between languages and books as crucial tools for expression that helps to enrich languages. She called on Authors and Teachers worldwide to promote mother tongue.
Earlier, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodola and the Chief Executive of NICO, had stressed the need to speak mother language to children at home while teaching of English language is left to the school system, noting that most parents do not speak the mother language to the children.
Prof. Imelda Udo, of the University of Uyo delivered a key note address while students of Ayakpo School rendered National Anthem and the Pledge in Ijaw language, in addition to other cultural displays.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria