Oberevwori to Parents: Helping Children Learn, Speak Will Save Indigenous Languages 

*Foundation for Ika Language/Cultural Research Centre laid at UNIDEL

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has appealed to Nigerian parents to help their children and wards learn and communicate in indigenous languages.
Oborevwori made the call at the weekend during the Second Founder’s Day celebration and fundraising for Ika Language and Cultural Research Centre of the University of Delta (UNIDEL) in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, said various local languages in the country were apparently threatened with extinction if definite steps were not taken to save our indigenous languages.
However, Oborevwori commended UNIDEL for the initiative to preserve Ika language, one of the languages indigenous to the state, with the establishment of Ika Language and Cultural Research Centre.

The governor said: “It is my pleasure to address this gathering as we celebrate the second Founder’s Day of this young and very promising university.
“In less than three years of existence, the University of Delta, Agbor, is steadily building a reputation for creativity and academic excellence.
“I am particularly impressed by the initiative to establish an Ika Language and Cultural Centre. This is highly commendable because nationally our various indigenous languages are facing the threat of extinction.
“With more of our children relocating abroad and many of our elite preferring to communicate in English rather than our indigenous languages in their daily interactions even at home, it will not be long before we lose our mother tongues unless urgent steps are taken to reverse the trend.
“The establishment of the lka Language and Cultural Research Centre is a wake-up call for us all to ensure that our children are made to learn and speak our indigenous dialects.

“This is a significant step towards preserving the heritage and culture of the lka people, and I appeal for support in raising the money needed for this research centre, which will serve as a platform for the comprehensive study and documentation of lka history, culture, and traditions.”
According to him, “This project will ensure that lka language and culture are preserved, and it is my pleasure to lay the foundation for this research centre today.
“Let me also say that the emphasis on youth development in today’s lecture is spot-on. There is an urgent need to unlock and unleash the creative and productive energy of our teeming youth population for sustainable national growth and prosperity. It is for this reason that eight members of the current Delta State Executive Council are less than 45 years old. So far, they have not disappointed.

“I wish to commend the Governing Council led by the erudite Professor Emeritus, Emmanuel Nwanze, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stella Chiemeke, for their clear vision, focus, sincerity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to put this university on a sound and sure footing. My appreciation also goes to the management and staff of this institution for their hard work and dedication to duty.

“Clearly, this university has justified the reason for its establishment with increased enrolment, expanding academic curricula, infrastructural upgrade and enhanced learning climate. But for the establishment of this university and two others in Ozoro and Asaba, many of our youths would have been denied university education, with all the implication that has for the peace and security of the state.”
Oborevwori commended his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for establishing UNIDEL and two other state-owned universities, describing the gesture as visionary and pragmatic.

Nevertheless, he urged tertiary institutions to strive to turn out products that are equipped with relevant skills that will enable them meet and overcome unfavourable economic challenges and the demands of 21st century global market.
He said: “I urge the university to ensure that the products of this school possess the skill-set to easily adapt to the dynamics and demands of the 21st century global marketplace.

“The curricula must be enriched with modules that prioritise critical thinking, innovation, technological competence, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurial abilities. Your graduates must be armed with these vital attributes, in addition to possessing excellent communication skills and a firm grasp of global market trends, complemented by the know-how to solve complex problems in society.”

In his remarks, immediate past Governor, Okowa, expressed delight that UNIDEL has recorded several impressive successes in less than three years of establishment.

Also, the Group Manager Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, who delivered a founder’s day lecture titled: ‘Transforming Potential Into Prosperity: Harnessing Nigerian’s Youthful Population For Economic Growth and National Renaissance’, observed that the foremost reality confronting Nigeria was the declining standard of educational system in the country with numerous youths seeking what he called “micro-waved success” without hard work.

“Nigeria youths must embrace agriculture and engaged in entrepreneurial activities bearing in mind current international market demands as that remains their best bet to guarantee sustainable future success,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and former Secretary to Delta State Government, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, who chaired the occasion, stressed the importance of education to the development of the youths and the country in general.

Earlier in her address, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIDEL, Prof Chiemeke, thanked Governor Oborevwori for his commitment to good governance, saying the governor’s “dedication to education and the overall development of Delta State is truly commendable, and we can attest to the testament of the administration’s MORE Agenda.”