2nd March, 2012
Dr. Henry Hunjo of the Department of English, Lagos State University, has described the use of Mother Language as a driving force to achieve quality education and national development.
He made the remark at a public lecture marking this year’s UNESCO World Mother Language Day organised by Jabulani Media link in conjunction with Choice 103.5 FM held recently at the premises of Choice FM, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos
Speaking on the topic of the public lecture, Promotion of Indigenous Languages for National Development, Hunjo declared that, “In this moment of globalization, unless our indigenous languages are developed, we cannot export our indigenous goods and services in order to earn foreign exchange.”
He stated further that indigenous languages will promote indigenous technology, philosophy, religion, architectural development, textile, medicine, engineering and chemical and physical science among others,
Hunjo added that all developed nations that are industrial giants with world-class economies such as America, Britain, France, Germany, Indian, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, South Africa, China and others speak indigenous languages.
He urged Nigerians to rescue indigenous languages across the nation from becoming extinct in order to protect our culture from death and guide against becoming slaves to foreign culture and practices.
—Kayode Aponmade