The Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters, pan-Nigeria organization promoting the teaching and usage of indigenous languages in the country, has called for the development of indigenous languages to be taught in both primary and secondary schools in the country.
The group made the call during its maiden congress held in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The aim of the congress was to ascertain the current challenges impeding the adoption and teaching of Ogoni languages in schools in the area.
Executive Director of the organisation, HRC Mene Magnus Edooh, emphasized the vital role played by indigenous languages in the preservation of culture, value and history.
He said: “Years ago, Latin was a language with even global relevance. But today, Latin has gone extinct. We don’t want the Ogoni languages to die in anyway. As a people, we can’t afford to loss our identity with the death of our languages”.
He explained that the Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters is an organization desirous of working with language stakeholders to ensure children and the younger generation keep tap on the use of their mother tongues.
Edooh further appealed to the government at all levels and other concerned organizations, and individuals to take strategic intervention and actions that would promote the use of Nigeria’s indigenous languages.
The newly appointed Director of Media and Information, Prince David Gbarato, queried the rational behind government’s refusal to give indigenous languages their rightful place in the academic structure.
According to Prince David Gbarato, “the people with their well developed language are people with a well developed state of indigenous affairs”.
The congress was attended by representatives and other indigenous languages and language stakeholders.
