Language
By Sarafina Christopher
Abuja, Dec. 10, 2022 (NAN) The Otú Ugonwanne Igbo Teachers Assocation of the Federal Government Girls College Bwari, Abuja, in collaboration with Igbo Wikimedia User Group, has called on parents to inculcate indigenous language in their children in order to preserve the mother tongue.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call was made in Abuja during the maiden edition of an end-of-year celebration in the school.
NAN also reports that the Igbo Wikimedia club was formed to help Students write and Learn the Igbo Language using digital tools and to contribute to or create Igbo articles on the Internet.
According to Mrs Nwakaego Alagbaọsọ, president of the association, the aim is to provide social welfare for all Igbo indigenes in the school and the society.
“We started this association in 2016 to help ourselves and the school anytime the need arises.
“We are teaching our children how to speak Igbo language in order to preserve our mother tongue.”
She urged parents to take responsibility for inculcating good moral behaviour in their children and wards.
“It is important for us parents to always watch over our children.”
Mrs Alagbaọsọ also charged Nigerians to vote for the right person, irrespective of tribe, in the forthcoming elections.
Mrs Antonia Okafor, vice-president of the association in her remarks, advised parents and schools to teach their children indigenous languages.
“We should teach our children our native languages so that it (they) will not die.
“Parents should key into what the government is doing concerning indigenous languages,” Mrs Okafor said.
Ms Obiageli Ezeilo, Head of studies, Igbo Language and Culture and the Founder of Igbo Wikimedia Club of FGGC Bwari, urged parents to always speak with their children in their native language at home.
According to her, this will make it easier for their teachers to relate with them when teaching.
“The best way to inculcate Igbo language and others is to start from home; let parents communicate with their children in their native language.
“The language curriculum has been written in a way that they expect kids to know, to an extent, how to speak their languages.
“As an Igbo teacher, I always encourage my students to speak it in school,” Ms Ezeilo said.
Chief Mba Chukwuma, Vice Principal Academics of FGGC Bwari, expressed his appreciation to the group for hosting the initiative.
He also commended the government for taking a great step by including indigenous language in curriculums.
“In order to bring back our indigenous language, we need to start learning to use it.
“Many schools have started teaching in their indigenous languages before introducing the English language so that the mother tongue will not go extinct,” Chukwuma said.