Sculptor and Executive Secretary, Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Eddy Okolo, has reiterated the need for people to use the mother tongue in communicating with people, especially in the South Eastern part of the country.
Okolo stated this at the maiden New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji) of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Enugu State Office, which held at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Independence Layout, Enugu.
He opined that some government policies and programmes usually hit brick wall as a result of misunderstanding or misapplication of the concepts and semantics, maintaining that the mother tongue will not only pass the information but drop the message in the hearts of people.
The renowned sculptor added that the need for mother tongue in the management and administration of people will be made easier, as it will permeate at the grass roots, saying, “When we speak our mother tongue, it brings us closer and creates ‘we feelings’ among the people”.
The ESCAC boss, who was also among the recipients of NICO Enugu Ambassadors Award, enjoined all well-meaning citizens in Nigeria to utilize the opportunity of the ongoing weekend edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) of the Institute to learn any of the Nigerian languages, free of charge.
The occasion featured the ceremonial Iwa Ji by the Ezeji and Chairman on the Occasion, HRH Igwe Paul Ogbodo (Igwe Akama Ngwo), flanked by other traditional rulers and ozo title holders; just as NICO Enugu Aku na-eche enyi and Ogene cultural dances thrilled the guests.
Ngoka Kingsley
Corporate Affairs Dept
NICO Enugu State Office