The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation [UNESCO], Oyo State Government, and prominent scholars at the University of Ibadan, on Monday, called for the promotion of indigenous languages for effective knowledge impartation.

The scholars include Prof. Rashid Aderinoye as well as Prof. Omobola Adelore of the Department of Adult Education, Prof. Francis Egbokhare of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, and Dr. Nathaniel Danjibo of the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies of the university.

The National Programme Officer and Literacy Focal Person of UNESCO, Abuja Office, Dr. Stephen Onyekwelu, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Soliu Adelabu and the scholars made the call during a symposium in celebration of the international literacy day at the university of Ibadan with the theme: “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace.”

The event was organised by the Department of Adult Education, UI in collaboration with the UNESCO Office, Abuja, and National Mass Education Commission [NMEC] and was hosted by the Head of the Department of Adult Education, Prof. Agbomehre Momoh.

Speaking, Dr. Onyekwelu said: ”UNESCO is promoting the use of language in the immediate environment at educational institutions, especially at the basic level. Nigeria also has a policy that Indigenous languages should be used at the basic level.

“That is why UNECSO saw it necessary to think about promoting indigenous languages . The use of indigenous language brings mutual understanding and peace. It makes the child learn better at an early stage. That is why we are promoting it.”

On his part, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Adelabu said: ‘”We still need to do more on literacy programme in Nigeria. That is why this conference is very important. I’m glad that UNESCO is here, representing us. We need to work on our framework to ensure that there are multilingual programmes in our curriculum development in our schools.

“We need to look at the framework of what we are doing. We need to look at where technology can help what we are doing”.

Prof. Aderinoye, who spoke on the theme: “Anchoring Literacy Efforts In A Lifelong Learning Ecosystem”, called on governments and agencies as well as a non-governmental organisation to revive the teaching of national languages like Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo in various educational institutions and other learning spaces as embedded in the 6.3.3.4 national policy on education.

Egbokhare harped on the need to embrace our languages, otherwise Nigeria would be producing for other economies

Egbokhare said: “When our local languages are collapsing, foreign languages cannot take a firm root. Language is not only a repository of our worldview but also influences how we see the world.

“We have a communication emergency. There is an information hunger and knowledge gap. Language is a knowledge system. The first step you take into the life of people is language.

“We must encourage the inclusion of local languages in early childhood and primary education, especially in regions where a specific language is widely spoken. Those who control languages control meanings. We need to embrace our languages, otherwise we will be producing for other economies”.

On her part, Prof. Omobola Adelore harped the need to create a literate environment and more community learning centres.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor [DVC, Academic], Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju, said literacy is a fundamental human right for individuals which open way for other human rights.