The Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has said that the art of translation forms part of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), organized by the Institute.
Dr. Ayakoroma stated this while addressing newsmen at this year’s International Translation Day Celebration, with the theme: “Building Cultural and Linguistic Bridges,” held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria, on Friday, 30th September, 2011.
Commending the Nigerian Institute of Translators and Interpreters (NITI), the organizers of the event, the NICO boss noted that the role of translators is very important, stressing that “members of the Institute (NITI) are very vital in cultural communication.”
The ES, who expressed his readiness to work with NITI, assured that he would like to work with them, among other things, in the areas of workshops and publication of books to sustain our indigenous languages. This, according to him, became imperative to encourage the speaking of our indigenous languages, regretting that “once a language dies, the indigenous knowledge goes with it.”
Also speaking, Mr. Joachim Okeke, Secretary/Registrar of NITI, stressing the important role translators play in the society, informed that “without the Translators, the world will be in trouble.”
Earlier, NITI President, Abuja Branch, Mr. Emmannuel Nkansah, had informed participants that the theme chosen worldwide for this year’s celebration revolves around translation as a career, a tool and language activity, for building bridges across the diverse cultures of the world, adding that, “we are fortunate to have more than enough experts gathered here to do justice to that theme.”
The Keynote Address, titled: “Bridging Cultures and Intercultural, Postcolonial Communication – The Place of Literary Translation,” was delivered by Professor S.J. Timothy-Asobele, Head, Department of European Languages, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Among dignitaries at the occasion were Prof. Ekundayo Simpson (the doyen of translation in Nigeria), Ambassador Wisdom Baiye, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi O. Iloh, Ms. Oyinda Daramola, and Mr. Wole Ajibuso.
Enock Etimighan
Corporate Affairs