The 2012 edition of indigenous language training programme of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has ended in Abuja. However, the programme continues in other centres across the country.

The programme was initiated by the former Executive Secretary of the institute, Mr. J.B. Yusuf with three basic Nigerian languages including Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. However, the number was gradually upgraded due to increasing demand. This year, a total number of nine languages including Fufulde, Gbagyi, Hausa, Igbo, Izon, Nupe, Tiv, Yoruba and Efik, are offered.

At the closing ceremony, which held early in the week, participants counted their gains as they carried out several activities including talks, music and drama presentations in different indegenous languages that they registered for. While expressing gratitude to NICO for the opportunity, many canvassed increase in the duration of the programme in subsequent editions to allow for indebt knowledge.

In spite of the short period, however, they claimed to have learnt enough for their everyday communication in the indigenous languages. It would be recalled that the original concept of the programme was to educate young children on various local languages during the summer holidays. As time went on, the institute saw the need to extend the opportunity to government agencies, private groups and individuals who may be interested.

This year, over 2000 people from both public and private sectors registered for the one-month programme.

Chairman of the event and senior lecturer, Faculty of Arts, University of Abuja, Dr. George Teke, urged Nigerians to have pride in their indigenous languages. According to him, their identities as Nigerians are embedded in their proficient use of their languages. Some of the reasons he gave was that of over 6,900 languages spoken in the world today, 500 of them are spoken in Nigeria.

"This means that the study of the many Nigerian languages will provide answers to the many questions to the origin of man and development because the study of these languages will explain the origin of humanity and possibly where we are going."

Executive Secretary, National Institute for National Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, commended participants for their enthusiasm towards the programme. According to him, the institute did not only witness a remarkable increase in the level of participation across the country comprising children, students, members of Para-military institutions, media houses, diplomats as well as media practitioners.

He also pledged the institute's intention to improve on the existing facilities so as to accommodate people with special needs in subsequent editions. He said, "It may interest you to know that this year; we got a request from a blind man, who indicated interest in the study of Nigerian indigenous languages. Although the institute does not have the facilities, we are challenged to start making provisions for them in subsequent editions."

To underscore the importance attached to the programme, Ayakoroma added that the institute presented a memo at the just-concluded National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation held in Ilorin, Kwara State, soliciting the support of council members to promote the programme in their respective states by providing technical assistance in the area of qualified language teachers.

According to him, such step would facilitate the take-off of the weekend study programme in those states, which will boost acceptance and participations in those states. He added, "The successful launch of the weekend programme will make it convenient for a greater number of people to participate while minority languages will also be covered.

"We are convinced that with increased awareness and patronage of this programme, many of our indigenous languages would be revived and serve as veritable vehicle for the transmission of our rich cultural heritage."

Also speaking, Director, Research and Cultural Affairs, NICO, Mr. Festus Ihenetu, whose department is in charge of the programme, said the programme was relevant to the sustenance of peace and national integration. He attributed this year's increase in participation to enhanced awareness campaign. He also commended efforts of various agencies that registered their members of staff, noting that knowledge of indigenous languages was vital to efficiency of certain careers in the country considering the prevailing security situation.

Ihenetu stated that understanding of various indigenous languages would boost peaceful co-existence and national unity, saying, "Some participants saw language as inevitable pill to swallow in the course of their careers. You also need to understand certain languages to succeed in your business or activities in some ethnic groups in Nigeria. Having knowledge of indigenous languages is a shortcut to harmonious inter-tribal and inter-ethnic existence".

He however regretted that awareness about indigenous language was one area that had not been explored in Nigeria by both states and federal government. "Aside NICO, there is no other national consciousness about indigenous language", he noted.

A two-man drama sketch was enacted by NICO Cultural Troupe, highlighting some of the gains of the programme and the need for beneficiaries to join the institute in creating necessary awareness.

Declaring the edition closed, Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, said the ministry was appreciative of the critical role of language as a vehicle for the promotion and transmission of culture from one generation to the other.

According to him, language is also vital in the socio-political and economic development of the people. He added that the ministry has designed robust strategies that would make indigenous languages relevant to the socio-political and economic endeavours of Nigerians.

"I have no doubt that if the language promotion and development strategies are painstakingly implemented, our indigenous languages would not only be insulated from the threat of extinction, they would be proudly used by Nigerians"

Duke, who was represented by the Director, Research and Documentation Department of the ministry, Mr. Chudi Uwandu, commended the institute for improving on the programme. He stressed that the new language status attracted accolade at the just concluded Council on Culture, Tourism and National Orientation in Ilorin.