Rivers
LG Chairmen Set To Develop Ibani Language Curriculum
The Executive Secretary of Rivers State Readers Project, Dr Tony Enyia, has announced the willingness of the Chairmen of Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Councils to sponsor relevant authorities towards the development of Ibani language curriculum, saying that so far, it is only Eleme and Gokana languages that have a developed curriculum.
Dr Enyia, who gave the revelations while speaking as Chairman in the 2013 International Mother Tongue Day celebration, said that the National Museum, Port Harcourt, and Rivers State Readers Project would do their best to reclaim Ibani language from extinction since learning ones indigenous language could make the learner to think independently.
The Rivers Readers Project secretary also announced that the Federal Government had approved Ibani language autography while the State Government had enacted a law that makes the teaching of indigenous languages in nursery, primary and junior secondary schools compulsory with a mandate to the Ministry of Education to ensure that teachers are trained in the Local languages.
According to Dr. Enyia, the fate of Ibani language lay with the speakers, calling on all concerned to leave a legacy of the Ibani language to posterity since the mother tongue of the people expresses the essence of the people even as it was a tool in expressing a people’s cultural identity.
literature, and promoting its use publicly and privately.
In a lecture at the occasion, Amasenibo Eric G. Jumbo listed the current threat to Ibani Language to include commerce and Christian religion which he feels could be revived through both short-term and long term measures. In his speech, Warisenibo Abinye Morgan Ogolo, challenged the people of Bonny and Opobo Kingdoms to make concerted efforts to rediscover Ibani language.
The Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, represented by Council Secretary, Mr Sunny J. Pepple, called on volunteer experts of the Ibani language to come and partner with his Council in reviving the Ibani language.
The event featured dances, lectures and Ibani language competition among selected Secondary Schools with CSS Opobo emerging as winners and GGSS Finima are well as Bonny National Grammar School, Bonny, as runners up.
Some personalities at the event include Professor Emeritus E.J. Alagoa, Dr. Mrs Iyalla Amadi, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, represented by Mr. Vincent Alli among others.