By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja – The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) said its indigenous language programme currently going on across the country was to break language barrier and enhance national unity.
Dr Barclays Ayakoroma, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NICO made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
“As a multiethnic nation, the language barrier is so much and unless we break it down, we will continue to have problems.
“For instance, you may be working in an office, and whenever two or three persons are communicating in their native language which you do not understand, you may think they are gossiping about you.
“So these things can cause problems, especially with women.
“The proper way to break the communication barrier is by learning one or two indigenous languages.
“In our training schools, indigenous language course is compulsory, but however with the affiliation of Nasarawa State University, it is now an elective course which we encourage students to do,’’ said.
Ayakoroma said that an Igbo student, who gained admission into the university would be encouraged to pick a language course in Hausa, Yourba or Tiv.
He said that such a student was expected to pass the course with a good grade.
He however said that it was the responsibility of parents to teach their children their own indigenous language at home.
Ayakoroma reiterated need for Nigerians to learn more than two indigenous languages to relate and move the country forward.
“If each Nigerian speaks and understand the language of others, it will go a long to enhance national unity.
“For instance, if a Hausa man travels to Lagos on a business and begins to communicate in Yourba language to the Yoruba traders there, they will give him maximum cooperation and support.
“Same with an Igbo man or woman who understands and speaks Hausa language. If he or she travels to Kano to buy goods, he or she will relate better with the Hausa traders there.
“By and large, the language programme offered by the institute is of great significance for the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians regardless of ethnic disparity,’’ the NICO boss said.
NAN reports that the Nigerian Indigenous Languages Programme (NILP) in Gombe, organised by NICO featured three languages, Hausa, Yoruba and Fulfulde.
It runs concurrently with all other offices of the institute across the country teaching various indigenous languages starting from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31.
In the Abuja study centre, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo Gbagyi, Tiv, and Efik language are being taught in the Institute.
The weekend indigenous language programme runs for six months on Saturdays and Sundays in all NICO offices in the six geopolitical zones.
The NICO boss called on Nigerians to avail themselves the opportunity to learn other languages aside their mother tongue to facilitate improve relationship and tolerance. (NAN)