The Presiding Apostle of Macedonia Call Global Assembly, Dr Osaren Emokpae, has commended his wife, Rev Mrs Imose Osar-Emokpae, for her contribution to preserving the Edo language with the release of her new book, Abidi Edo: An Easy Way to Speak, Write and Read Edo Language.
 
The book was launched on Sunday at the Macedonia Call headquarters in Maryland, Anthony, Lagos, drawing attention to the need to protect Nigeria’s indigenous languages from extinction. It was more than just a book launch; it was a celebration of heritage, identity, and the enduring power of language to unite a people.
  
Speaking at the event, Dr Emokpae praised the author for her courage and dedication, describing the work as “a noble cause of ensuring Edo language does not join the league of Nigerian languages transitioning to extinction” because the beauty of a people’s culture often rests in the words they speak. And for centuries, according to her, the Edo language has been the heartbeat of the people, carrying their history, wisdom, humour, and values from one generation to the next.
 
He noted that recent research has shown that over 29 Nigerian minor languages have gone extinct, while another 29 are on the way to extinction. Emokpae noted that UNESCO estimates 37 Nigerian languages are on their way to extinction in the next 10 to 50 years, and the Edo language is one of them.”  

He stressed the importance of initiatives like this in keeping cultural identity alive.
 
In today’s fast-changing world, fewer young people can speak the Edo language fluently, and even fewer can read or write it. This is the cultural gap that the author intends to bridge with her newly launched book.