The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has pledged to support NICO in its bid to encourage Nigerians to take pride in speaking indigenous languages.
The Governor made this pledge during the 3rd edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) organized by the South-West Zone of the Institute at Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure.
Governor Mimiko, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Laide Adewakun, said the initiative is a laudable and worthy cause, and urged the people, especially the youths, to make good use of the unique opportunity to improve their knowledge and appreciation of our rich indigenous languages.
Dr. Mimiko said that parents are to be blamed for the inability of their wards to speak their indigenous languages which is detrimental to our Culture, and therefore implored them to be part of the drive by NICO in re-awakening the teaching and speaking of the Nigerian Indigenous languages, expressing hope that the project will not fizzle out after a lofty beginning.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his gesture, saying that the initiative will help to sustain our diversified Indigenous languages and break language barriers in Nigeria, and affirmed that the initiative will stand the test of time if given adequate support.
Amongst the dignitaries present were: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Laide Adewakun; General Manager, NTA, Akure, Mrs. Charity Eke; Curator, National Museum and Monument, Mr. Olurunnipa E. Amos; Chairman, Ijaw Community, High Chief F. J. Williams; Secretary, Egbe Akomolede Ati Asa Yoruba, Ondo State, Sir Wale Omoseebi; Seriki Hausa, Ondo State, Alhaji Abdulahi Abdulmalik; Eze Ndi-Igbo, Akure, Igwe Chinyere Eze; and a host of others.
On the Executive Secretary’s entourage were the Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Prince Dele Olusa; Deputy Director/SA to ES, Hon. Ebi Campbell; Zonal Director, South West Zone, Mr. Louis Eriomala; and Assistant Director (Protocol), Mr. Alex Omijie.
Sokunle Babajide
Corporate Affairs