Soyinka, govs canvass development of indigenous languages

Soyinka, govs canvass development of indigenous languages

by Sunday Aborisade, Akure

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Minister of Culture, Edem Duke, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday, tasked Nigerians with the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages in the country.

They said since languages were part of the culture of the people, efforts should be made to ensure that they do not go into extinction.

They spoke at an international conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the Yoruba literary icon, the late Chief Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa.

Mimiko said there was the need to encourage the use of mother tongue and the development of the culture of the people.

He said the state government had recommended the use of Fagunwa's works in secondary schools across the state, saying the books were capable of preserving Yoruba language and culture.

He noted that many Nigerian authors had contributed to the socio-economic development of the country and should therefore be celebrated.

Fayemi also noted that the contributions and impact of Fagunwa's poetry prowess could not be over emphasised.

He said efforts should be made to ensure that indigenous languages were not allowed to die in the country.

According to him, there is the need for government to preserve the culture of the people, adding that language was part of the culture of the people.

The minister, however, said the Federal Government had commenced the process of teaching of indigenous languages across the country.

He said the ministry was ready to ensure the preservation of the culture of the various ethnic groups in the country.