The Head of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) State Office, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr. Kenneth Odum, has said that languages are carriers of our identities and history and a means through which our worldviews are communicated and transmitted from one generation to the next.
This is sequel to the success of the opening ceremony of its 4th edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), held at NDE Hall, Federal Secretariat Complex, Ikolaba-Ibadan, on Wednesday, 3rd of August, 2016, which he declared open on behalf of the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Associate Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma.
The programme, which was conceived fundamentally as a cardinal tool of the Institute, is aimed at instilling in Nigerians a desire to learn and discover the uniqueness of other languages and to appreciate the beauty in our diverse cultural heritage.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Kenneth Odum welcomed the participants to the 2016 edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), stating that this year’s programme is the 4th edition of the State Office and the 10th of the Institute in the series, where several languages, including Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Izon, Efik, Fulfulde, Nupe, etc. have been taught.
He further explained that, a remarkable increase in the number of participants was drawn from all strata of the society: children, students, members of Para-military institutions, media houses, house wives and diplomats.
According to him, with the increased awareness and patronage of the language programme, many of our indigenous languages will be revived and as such serve as veritable vehicles for the transmission of our rich cultural heritage.
Concluding, Mr. Odum thanked all the participants for gracing the occasion, which he believes will go a long way to benefit all.
In a vote of thanks, the Head of Orientation and Cultural Affairs, NICO Ibadan State Office, Mr. Ikona Ubi, appreciated the participants and the members of staff, saying that, “every language is important in the sense that it helps us as a people to communicate and express our belief systems in our everyday life and activities, all in keeping with the desire to be in tune with our entire existence”.
At the end of the opening ceremony, the NICO Ibadan State Office recorded 53 in the number of participants (non-staff): Hausa (31), Yoruba (7) and Igbo (15).
Corporate Affairs Dept
NICO State Office
Ibadan, Oyo State