Address of Welcome by the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, at the Opening Ceremony of the 4th Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme, on Friday, July 30, 2010, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos
Protocols
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme. This event is the latest in our annual campaign for the effective use of indigenous Nigerian languages to promote a sense of the Nigerian identity in our homes and country for improved interactions, national integration and development.
This year marks the 4th edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme in Lagos organized by the Institute since 2007. We are always glad to see various people honour our invitations. We appreciate you all for coming to this special event.
The Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme is NICO’s direct response to the veiled, determined and uninterrupted assaults by foreign languages on the sanctity of Nigerian indigenous languages which are our instruments of heritage, identity and nation building. The effects of these invasions are far reaching so much that most of our indigenous languages are threatened with linguistic destruction. Today, there is considerable decline in the number of Nigerian adults enthusiastic to speak the native languages in their homes, offices and social communities.
Our languages are dying. Many of our country’s estimated 400 languages are moribund as they are no longer being learned by children and are in real danger of becoming extinct in the next few decades when they will have no speakers left. The challenge before Nigerians is to ensure that this does not happen. We have to constantly speak our native languages so that the languages can endure, to always be around to nurture our children, to reinforce their identities, and to perpetuate our cultures.
NICO strongly recommends to individuals, organizations, and foreigners in Nigeria the indigenous language training course holding from Monday August 2 – 31, 2010 which will deepen their knowledge of the major indigenous languages. The Institute is convinced of the gains of this course that it will improve participants’ understanding of other Nigerian languages for effective communication both at home or host communities of organizations.
Language is an instrument of knowledge that can be used to strengthen our understanding of cultural industries like weaving and textiles designs, African tasty cuisines, the talking drum, our musical cultural heritage, etc. As noted by Professor Ali Mazrui, revered African Scholar, “no country has ascended as a first rank technological and economic power by excessive dependence on foreign languages.” I therefore wish to assure us as Nigerians that a revived interest in our languages will pave the way for a rich vibrant cultural economy and consequently a resuscitated material economy.
Most importantly too, our parents should note that the language of foreign cultures is the vehicle through which European and American films and music entered to steal the hearts of our children. If we could transfer the young people's loyalty back to our own people and families through our indigenous languages, then we would have restored the decadent social fabric of our societies. We need to make our children see our languages and cultures as viable and just as valuable as anything they see on television, movies, or videos.
Let me use this opportunity to express the profound appreciation of the management and staff of NICO to Her Excellency Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, for finding time, out of her crowded schedule, to attend this programme. We are encouraged by the fact that you are an avid advocate of indigenous languages, which you help to push through schools, as your office supervises the Education Ministry. We would continue to seek for your assistance because we need the enabling atmosphere to sustain the Indigenous Language Programme. While the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has approved our request for collaboration in the area of manpower, we need lecture centres; we need vehicles; and of course, we need adequate funding. We know that you will use your good offices to render the much needed support... Eko oni bajee!
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, we must always remember that languages are the carriers of cultural values from one generation to the other, among different communities and people. It is also a vital bridge between nations of the world. Our Nigerian languages define us in a global environment, and locate us within the West African sub region of Africa. This is what has given birth to the bye line of this programme by the Institute which states thus:
Define yourself
Be proud of your Roots
Learn to speak a Nigerian Language today!!
Permit me to also add at this juncture that it is in the light of the foregoing that we are introducing compulsory language courses in our Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma programmes in the NICO Training School. The implication is that if you are Hausa, you have the option of choosing Yoruba, Igbo, Izon, Tiv, Efik, etc. as a course in the language option. This way, we expect that our graduands would be proficient in at least two Nigerian languages.
Welcome therefore to the 4th edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme and to a rewarding experience. I thank you for your kind attention and God Bless.
Barclays F. Ayakoroma PhD
Executive Secretary/CEO
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