Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, Vice Chancellor ,Ahman Pategi University(Private -owned) Kwara State has urged for the need to address the abuse of communication in both traditional and new media platforms to safeguard peace and national security in Nigeria.

Adedimeji said this at the 38th Annual Conference of the English Scholars' Association Of Nigeria (ESAN) which was held at Burba Maruwa Auditorium Lagos State University(LASU) ,Ojo on Friday.

Theme of the annual conference :”Language and Communication Studies for Peace, (In) Security and Development in Nigeria”.

He said that more attention should be given to the media, both traditional and new, with a view to curbing the abuse of communication.

“For any country to develop, three conditions of a conducive legal and political environment, good economic policies and equitable social system must be established.

“As desirable as development it cannot take place in a cultural vacuum as culture constitutes the life wire of any people with which all human activities are harmonised, hence galvanised for to development.  

“There is no alternative to development without the cultural component.

“The development of Nigeria has been constrained by  a history of corrupt and autocratic leadership, indiscipline, lack of patriotism, deplorable work ethics and moral decadence.

“To reverse the situation, language, literature and communication are crucial,” Adedimeji said.

He added that language was the hub around which all human activities social, political, economic, educational revolve.

“Without language, there is evidently no society, no polity, no nation, no democracy and ultimately no development.

“As no man can survive fully without language, as such, no nation can fully progress and develop without a common linguistic basis,”Adedimeji said.

Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello,Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, emphasised the profound impact of language and communication on our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Olatunji-Bello said that this factors had contributed significantly to global conflicts and insecurity.

“I urge individuals to push the boundaries of knowledge in order to better understand language and communication,”she said.

Prof. Pius Akhimen, Head,Department of English,LASU said that this year's theme, brings linguistic, literary, and communication studies to the forefront of societal needs.

Akhimen proposed that the association should broaden its scope beyond conferences and engage in other areas such as agenda setting and involvement in the national language question.

“By participating in these activities, this association will further enhance its relevance and impact.

“The association can contribute to the interpretation of the Nigerian constitution, highlighting the importance of their expertise in such matters.

These expanded activities will allow the association to play a more significant role in shaping language policies and promoting effective communication within the country,”he said.

Prof. Tajudeen Surakat ,National President of ESAN said that the choice of the theme was apt and timely, especially, at a period when violence, injustice and turbulence have enveloped virtually all parts of the world on all fronts.

Surakarta said that language, literature and communication had roles to play in our quest for durable peace, security and development.

“But these disciplines alone do not have the magic wand to solve our problems.

“Other behavioural or social sciences (psychology, sociology, political science, economics) and the humanistic studies must also contribute their own quotas.

“In addition, collective responsibility is required from individuals, families, the large society, governments at the various levels ,educational institutions and the governed must be involved,”he said.