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Use Of Indigenous Language In Social Environment Programmes Advocated

 by 

Josiah Chijindu Egbilika

Cross section of tribes representatives during God of All Languages programme organized by Assemblies of God Youth Ministries of Ikwerre Central District


A representative of the Obolo Language came out first overall in the language competition organized by the Youth Ministries of Assemblies of God Church, Ikwerre Central District.


The programme tagged ''God Of All Languages'' aimed at promoting the worship of God through our indigenous Languages.


It is no longer news that English and Naija (popular known as Pidgin or Nigerian Pidgin-NP) pose as treat to our Indigenous Languages. They are commonly used in religious centers, market places, event centers and programmes, media and more.

Representatives of the Obolo native speakers, winners of the God of all Languages competition


As an official language in Nigeria, English is referred as the language of the formal. It is officially used in the what is termed "formal proceedings" like in Federal and State Houses of Assemblies, Judiciaries, and so on.


Naija (Nigerian Pidgin-NP) is widely used in the country. Research has shown that about 90% and above can understand and/or communicate with NP. This is greater than that of English which stands at 60% and below. 


This is worrisome as our indigenous Languages are at the verge of "kicking the language bucket". This is the reason why scholars of linguistics, researchers of Languages, well meaning native speakers are putting all efforts to develop the languages, Language Advocates are calling for the sustenance of the language through continuous usage and documentations.

Awajibokoiton George Macauley - Left, representative of the Obolo speaking people during the language competition session of God of all Languages Programme in a picture pose with sister, Alice George Macauley


So, having a programme which energize people to speak their languages is not only welcomed but appreciated. The competition had four sessions: Greeting, The Lord's Prayer Recitation, Name of Fruits and Bible Recitation Sessions.


Greeting Session:

The competitors were asked to greet in their languages. Greetings in Nigerian Languages and culture is essential. It carries uniqueness in every language. Some Languages are able to differentiate between sex or elders, that is, there are words used for elders during greetings and cannot be used for age grades. An example of such languages is Yoruba which has "ekaro" for a good morning greeting to an elder but "karo" for age grades or younger ones.


In Ubimini for instance,  there is a rhythm mic pattern of greeting elders after a younger one has greeted the normal daily greetings:.

"Younger one: Madio (from a male)/Kandio (from a female), Elder: Weze

Younger one: Iyah, Elder: Iyah"


The competitors in enthusiasm greeted the congratulation in their dialects


Watch video here 

Greeting Competition in God of All Languages Programme


The Lord's Prayer:

The Lord's Prayer was read in English and  the competitors were asked to recite same in their languages. The Lord's Prayer is the foremost prayer Jesus taught His disciples while on earth. Although written in Hebrew to Greek and translated to English, the prayer is the most populous prayer in the world. 


Some religious enthusiasts claim The Lord's Prayer gave the accurate structure of how one needs to pray. The prayer is recited during devotions, in churches, gatherings and more.


The competitors recited the prayer which has been translated in languages across the world in their languages

Watch Video 

Lord's Prayer in Indigenous Languages


Fruit Session:

Fruits are essential commodities to human health. There are specific fruits in different languages and these fruits have their special names. Also, native speakers have names to various fruits in existence or that they came across in their localities or contacts.


The competitors were asked to mention five names of fruits in their languages and it was such a fun

Watch video 

Can you name five fruits in your dialect?


Bible Recitation Session:

The Bible is one of the foremost spiritual book ever written and in existence on earth. The history of the Bible goes back into the creation of man. 


The Bible can be referred as the textbook of life having issues, instructions, encouragement, success stories and failures of characters for learning, reproving and more.


One of such encouraging statements in the Bible can be found in Exodus chapter 14 verse 14, popular known as Exodus 14:14 among Christians:

"The Lord shall fight for you and ye shall old your peace" (King James Version)


The competitors with excitement recited the verse in their languages

Watch video 

Exodus 14:14 in Indigenous Languages

The languages represented in the competition were: Obolo, Ikwerre, Igbo, Efik and Gokana representing the Andoni, Ikwerre, Igbo, Akwa-Cross (Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers) and Ogoni people.


It is an encouraging facet to have more of such programmes in our social space. It aids in the sustenance and development of our indigenous languages.


The government, non-governmental institutions, communities especially, media should create programmes in our indigenous languages that are participatory in nature. Reality shows should be organized using our indigenous languages. This is because, developing our languages is a holistic endeavour not an individual affair.

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