Int’nal Mother Tongue Day: One Language Dies Every Two Weeks —-Prof. Chinwe
By Olusegun HOSEA. 26th February,2024.
The executive officer of the National Library of Nigeria,Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi during the commemoration of the 2024 indigenous languages celebration has said that at least one language dies every two weeks.
In this year international Mother -Tongue day celebration which took place on Wednesday 21st February,2024 as declared by the UNESCO in 1999 as a day set aside for the celebration of our languages across the globe of which the National Library of Nigeria organised a quiz competition and a lecture in honour of the language in order to prevent it from going into extinction., Captured four major outcomes that was expecting from the global engagements to include learning, teaching and transmition .
According to the Chief Executive, people need to take practical steps towards the global quest for the revitalization, preservation and promotion of the world’s indigenous languages needed to avert their speedy disappearance particularly the indigenous one.
In another development with reference to UNESCO, the exclusive use of dominant language,in Nigeria including English language for instruction has affected the quality of teaching and impacted the validity of learning assessments and by extension the learner’s future opportunities for Education and work. It observed that poor learning outcomes is tied to inadequate language of instruction policies.
Speaking, the Ondo State head of branch of National Library of Nigeria, Mr B.A Salawu said we need to preserved our languages from going into extinction. He said the programme was meant to promote diversity and multilingualism in Education to enhance global understanding and cooperation by encouraging the use of native languages especially in education. He said this year theme centred on Multilingualism Education is a pillar of Intergenerational learning.
Mr Salawu explained that the National Library of Nigeria is greatly committed to the presentation and promotion of Nigerian cultural heritage most especially our indigenous languages. He itemized some of the programme embarked upon by the agency which includes, Digitalization of books in Nigerian languages, Digitalization of cultural and tourist sights , establishment of literacy center s in hard to reach communities with focus on indigenous languages and Documentation of Nigerian languages alphabets and numerals with more projects in the pipeline and host of others.
Highlights of the event include quiz competition, lecture on the importance of the use of indigenous languages and price presentations to the schools that participated. The invited schools are Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School,Akure, African Church Comprehensive High School, Alagbaka, Akure, Magen and Shield College, Acquinas College Akure and Calvary Grammar School, Akure we’re all in attendance.
