Government official urges protection of native tongues

Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, has emphasized the need for increased efforts to conserve Nigeria's native languages, stressing their vital role in safeguarding the nation's history, identity, and cultural heritage.

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This call to action was made during the launch of Yorùbá: A Tonal Language Homophones, a newly published book by esteemed Nigerian author and linguist Bankole Awosika, which took place at Moonstone Hall, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

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The minister commended Awosika for his significant contribution to Nigeria's educational and cultural advancement, describing the book as a timely and intellectually stimulating work that underscores the importance of indigenous languages in national development.

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In a statement issued on Sunday, Alausa noted that preserving indigenous languages extends beyond mere communication, as it is essential for protecting history, identity, knowledge systems, and collective heritage, adding that publications like this one deserve encouragement as they effectively bridge education and culture.

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According to the minister, preserving indigenous languages will help protect Nigeria's cultural identity and ensure that future generations remain connected to the country's rich linguistic heritage.

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The book provides an in-depth exploration of the Yoruba language's tonal structure through its homophones, offering readers practical explanations of pronunciation, meanings, vowels, consonants, and the cultural philosophy embedded in Yoruba expressions.

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The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture also spoke at the event, reaffirming the state government's commitment to promoting indigenous languages through education and cultural initiatives, and describing publications on native languages as invaluable resources for future generations.

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Guests at the ceremony praised Awosika for his decades-long dedication to Yoruba language scholarship, describing the publication as a significant contribution to preserving one of Africa's most rich linguistic traditions.

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Following the unveiling, event planner Mrs. Ebunoluwa Akinwale remarked that the gathering celebrated not only a book but also the preservation of heritage and intellectual excellence.

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Representing the author's family, Mr. Akinyinka Awosika, the author's son, expressed gratitude to dignitaries, friends, and well-wishers for supporting the project and encouraged schools, researchers, cultural organisations, and language enthusiasts to adopt the publication as a valuable educational resource.

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The event featured the formal unveiling of the book, goodwill messages from distinguished guests, literary reflections, and cultural performances celebrating Yoruba traditions.

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Nigeria is home to over 500 indigenous languages, making it one of the world's most linguistically diverse countries.

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However, experts have warned that many of these languages are facing the threat of extinction due to rapid urbanisation, increased use of English in formal education and official communication, migration, and declining intergenerational transmission.

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To address this challenge, the Federal Government has consistently advocated for mother-tongue instruction in early childhood education under the National Policy on Education, which encourages pupils in the first years of primary school to be taught in the language of their immediate environment before transitioning to English.

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Education experts argue that this approach improves literacy, learning outcomes, and cognitive development while helping to preserve indigenous cultures.

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International organisations, including UNESCO, have also urged countries to promote multilingual education and invest in the documentation and preservation of indigenous languages, warning that the loss of a language also means the disappearance of unique cultural knowledge, history, and traditions.