NINLAN PARTNERS OMENKA, IHAV IN THE BÀTTLE FOR THE SOUL OF IGBO LANGUAGE.
The National Institute For Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) in collaboration with OMENKA App developers and the Indigenous Hands And Voices (IHAV) has just hosted a Workshop for Igbo language teachers in Primary and Secondary schools across the globe.
The Workshop which held at the Conference hall of the Institute, with the Theme : E Ji Igbo Eje Ebee? Ajambele; is intended to get Igbo language teachers involved in the struggle for the development and sustenance of Igbo language.
Welcoming participants to the Workshop, the Executive Director of the Institute, Okankuzi Ogbonna Onuoha, thanked the joint-organizers for choosing NINLAN, being an indigenous languages center, as the venue of the workshop. He decried the apathy of Igbos to their language as shown in their overt preference to English language in speech as well as reluctance in dressing regularly in Igbo cultural attires.
Okankuzi Onuoha encouraged the organizers to fathom the challenges facing the growth and survival of Igbo language and to proffer solutions to overcoming them. He promised that the Institute’s Management would assist in publishing and publicizing significant issues arising from the workshop, which would serve as milestones for the growth of Igbo language.
Three professors (Okankuzi) of Igbo language, who served as resource persons, used Igbo language entirely as their language of instruction.
Okankuzi Lucy Apakama, from Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, took participants through ‘Mwulite Agumagu na Akomako Gbasara Ndu na Omenala Ndi Igbo na Nkuzi na Omumu’.
In the lecture, she drew the attention of Igbo language teachers through the Life and Traditions of Ndigbo and the necessary symbiotic relationship that should exist between the Igbo language teacher and the learner to help Igbo language to thrive. She advised teachers to deploy contemporary technologies in teaching students to arouse and sustain their interest in Igbo language. She was full of hope about the survival of Igbo language and noted that the theme of the workshop should be: E Ji Igbo Eje Ebee? Iganihu ! Iganihu!
Okankuzi Nwokoye in a lecture entitled ‘Nkwalite Odide Igbo Izugbe Maka Mwulite Edemede, Emume na Mkparitauka’ dwelt on the use of Igbo Izugbe (Standard Igbo) in writing texts, at events or ceremonies and in oral communication as against Olu Ndi (dialects).
She noted that the use of Igbo Izugbe would greatly enhance assimilation of the knowledge that the Igbo language teacher is imparting to the learner, as well as in unifying Igbo people through the use of shared and common symbols.
Okankuzi Chukwuma Okeke from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, took participants through the application of modern scientific and technological tools and innovations (Iji Teknoloji Oloro Ohuru Kuzie Edemede, Omenala na Oru Nka) in teaching and writing in Igbo language.
He encouraged the teachers to acquire personal computers like laptops/desk tops, android phones; and to be knowledgeable in word processing, e-mailing and the use of the internet in information gathering.
Okankuzi Okeke pointed out that the use of android phones, which is now in vogue, in teaching Igbo language would seize the interest and attention of young people in secondary schools.
He encouraged the teachers to be familiar with technological tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Grammarly, Virtual Tours, and countless others to add finesse to written texts and to make the teaching and learning of Igbo language captivating.
It is the hope of the organizers that the application of the knowledge acquired at the workshop by Igbo language teachers would make them strong allies in the development and sustenance of Igbo language.
Godson Ugbor
PAR (IPPR).
