ZARIA (Sundiata Scholar) – Kaduna State Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has appealed to the Federal Government to expand the National Institute of Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) to reflect the clusters of Nigerian languages in six geopolitical zones to foster national unity.
The university made the appeal in a communique after an International Conference on African Indigenous Languages issued to newsmen on Sunday in Zaria.
The communique was jointly signed by Prof. Salisu Garba, conference’s organising committee Chairman and Mal Abubakar-Sarki Muhammad Secretary, communique committee.
The communique noted that expansion of National Institute of Nigerian Languages would foster national unity through language understanding, promote linguistic diversity and enhance language education and research.
It said: “The conference enjoins institutions of higher learning to create and or reinvigorate centers for translation studies, especially into and from Nigerian languages.
“The centers will strengthen the translation of scientific, technological, cultural and other developmental materials and literature into Nigerian languages for better teaching and learning.”
The communique further called for immediate removal from JAMB brochure, “Literature in English as a prerequisite for admission into UTME B.A (Hons) Hausa as it obtains with other Nigerian language programmes.”
It commended the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, South East, University of Ibadan and other Universities in South West for adopting Igbo and Yoruba languages respectively, as part of general studies courses.
The communique, therefore, called on universities in Northern Nigeria to adopt Hausa language as part of general studies.
it urged traditional rulers and institutions as the custodians of indigenous languages and culture to use their indigenous languages at official functions.
Similarly, it enjoined parents and guardians to speak their indigenous languages to their children and wards as part of efforts to address language endangerment.
The communique said: “The conference unanimously nominates and approves an interim committee for the resuscitation of Hausa Studies Professional Association.” (NAN)
