IT'S LONG, BUT PLEASE TAKE A TIME TO READ. THANKS.

International Mother Language Day Celebration
Theme: Indigenous languages matter for development, peace building and reconciliation
Date: 21st February, 2019

Language Advocacy For Environmental, Human Rights and Development in Nigeria
PRESS STATEMENT

Researches have shown that Nigeria is endowed with about 450 languages and more than 700 dialects. And it is sadden to note that, of these languages and dialects, none in the next 3 to 4 generations will survive if speedy measures are not taken.
It is in this view that on this day of celebrating the international mother language day with the theme: Indigenous Languages matter in development, peace building and reconciliation that I call for attention to be given to the development of our indigenous languages in all perspective. Our languages carry the power to build a peaceful nation and national unity.

With our languages, conflicts can be resolved, settled and peace sustained. It has the capability of uniting the individual hearts to appreciate national unity. It gives a nation a special brand. And as a country with diverse languages, it becomes a tourist cite for language scholars who have over the years come into the country to study languages and our cultural diversities in Nigeria. Our language aids in preserving species and environmental biodiversity for future recognition and study. Without indigenous languages, documentation of environmental, health, agricultural, cultural and artistic knowledge will be impossible.

Thus, a language advocacy campaign will reactivate us on the importance of our mother languages. A Language advocacy campaign will not only self-guide our languages, it will in turn contribute immensely to national development cum global appreciation and acceptance.
Language is the power of a man/nation to development. Seize a man’s language all that makes the man is gone.

It is in line with the above that I call on the Government and the International communities to support the advocacy on Indigenous languages matter for development, peace building and reconciliation, in a bid to sustain our languages, conserve cultural values and save it from extinction.

Josiah Chijindu Egbilika
Facilitator, LanguageSense Initiative
#LanguageSense #yourlanguageisyou #IndigenousLanguages