LAGOS – Mr Ferdinand Anikwe, the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), on Friday called for the inclusion of indigenous languages in the nation’s school curriculum.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Anikwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that this would assist in the revival of [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]indigenous languages to enhance cultural heritage.
He said state government should authorise all schools to include the indigenous languages peculiar to the [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]state in the school curriculum.
“ Each state should make indigenous languages compulsory in primary schools and on through to tertiary institutions,’’ he said.
Anikwe, who noted that Osun had compelled all pupils to learn indigenous languages in primary schools, urged other states to emulate this.
“This will enable these children to dance and sing in their indigenous languages,’’ Anikwe said.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″]
According to Anikwe, the indigenous languages are symbols of identity and should be guarded jealously.
“The wisdom of every clan is seen in their languages, culture and tradition.
“The promotion of our languages should commence from the grassroots, which is the individual’s home.
`Parents should speak their indigenous languages to their children or ward`s when their communication skills are well developed.
“They tend to grow with these languages which becomes part of their life and give them a unique identity.
“Indigenous languages should be enhanced so that our cultural heritage is not killed absolutely,’’ he said.
Anikwe said that parents, teachers and individual peer groups should assist in upholding local languages so that they do not go into extinction. (NAN)