The Co-Founder of Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), Mrs Ifeoma Esiri and the National Librarian, Prof. Veronica Chinwe Anunobi have called on Nigerians to encourage members of their communities and households to develop a good understanding of their local languages through reading, writing and communication.
In line with the theme of the 2024 International Literacy Day: “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace”, both Mrs Esiri and Prof. Anunobi emphasized the importance of children’s effective communication in their indigenous languages in schools, at home, and elsewhere.
Speaking during the commemoration of the International Literacy Day held at the National Library annexe in Lagos, Mrs Esiri expressed disaffection that many school children could not speak in their mother tongues.
She stated that the ability of a children to speak, read, and write effectively in their local languages would enhance knowledge not only about careers but also about interaction, culture, and identity, adding that such will promote preservation of the culture of the people.
She urged governments at various levels to ensure that policies that will encourage use of local languages are put in place and effectively implemented.
She said, ” It is a pity that a lot of our children cannot speak their native languages fluently, some can’t speak it at all. This is not good. Language is a vital aspect of culture and when a people lose their language, what is left of their culture?
“When our children cannot speak our tongues, how would they be able to even speak in proverbs? Speaking in proverbs is a clever method that our elders use in communicating and passing great messages.”
She appealed to governments and parents to encourage children to speak and converse using the local languages, saying “That won’t stop them from being proficient in any other language.”
In a chat with journalists, the National Librarian, Prof. Anunobi said, “Literacy is a tool for creating a more just, peaceful and sustainable society. It is a ladder to prosperity and making use of potential.
“The Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, have literacy tied to them. Policy makers should do what will engender literacy and establish libraries for life long learning and development. Those who are in government should not leave the governed in the dark.”
Emphasising that literacy is more than just education, Prof Anunobi said UNESCO declared 2022-2032 a decade of the promotion of indigenous languages because of the importance mother tongues play in the overall development of any society.
The highlight of the day witnessed by pupils from school within Yaba area was book reading session by Pa Newton Jibunoh, the 87-year-old Nigerian who has crossed the Sahara Desert four times.
He encouraged the children to be focused and hardworking, noting that literacy is more than just being educated.
