RSG Canvasses Indigenous Languages Dev

The Rivers State Government has challenged privileged Nigerians to identify actively with efforts geared towards the development of indigenous languages to ensure that children get to learn about their own native languages both in speaking and writing.

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari threw this challenge yesterday at Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State at the presentation if the 2nd edition of Foundation Class in Kirike written by Tex Laban Jamabo and official release of the Okrika orthography.

Mrs Semenitari, who was represented by the Editor of The Tide (Daily), Mr Soye Wilson Jamabo, decried the rate at which the indigenous languages were going extinct, stressing that the present administration pays serious premium on reading culture and is doing everything possible to revive the culture.

“That’s why the state government supported all moves towards bringing ‘The Book Capital’ to Port Harcourt, she said, adding that a committee has been set up to ensure proper implementation.”

The commissioner noted with dismay that even Okrika Local Government, which used to the forefront of the crusade, has relaxed with other local government areas surpassing it, and challenged the council to wake up from its slumber and ensure not only that the native dialect is developed but to also see that school enrolment improves so that the children will learn to appreciate that nothing is better than basic education.

She praised the Amanyanabo of Ogoloma, HRH E.T.I. Obudibo, who reproduced the book for free distribution to all Libraries in schools in Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Okrika speaking communities in Port Harcourt, and urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the traditional ruler.

In his welcome address, the Amayanabo said it was unfortunate that many Africans, and indeed Nigerians communities have lost touch with their cultural roots owing to the erosion of their dialects and languages by the corrosive influence of out-post civilization and neotecno cultural colonization in spite  of the fact that United Nations and UNESCO have made promotion of mother tongue a cardinal concern.

“I  promise to do everything within my power to promote the reading, speaking, writing and teaching of the Kirike dialect in schools and at home the way it ought to be,” he remarked.

Chris Oluoh