NICO Seeks Establishment Of Indigenous Language Clubs For NYSC Members

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, has commenced free training of Nigerian Indigenous Languages for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking during the commencement of the training in FCT NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NICO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye said the move is to further promote the teaching and learning of Nigerian languages thereby safeguarding them from going into extinction.

Otunba Biodun Ajiboye who was represented by a Chief Cultural Officer in NICO, Mrs Blessing Fasomo stated that the training which is also part of the Institute’s orientation programme, would last for the period of their orientation programme in camp.

The Executive Secretary who explained that a Google form would be created for feedback purposes at the end of the four weeks training expressed the hope that the management of NYSC would further approve the establishment of NICO Indigenous Language Clubs for continuity during the Community Development Service, CDS.

“This three weeks free training of Nigerian Indigenous Language is only for Corps members in the FCT and each of them will be given the opportunity to learn at least two Nigerian languages of their choice, the Executive Secretary stressed.”

In his words: “what we also intend to achieve is to make very easy for corps members to interact with people at the grassroots during their service year because learning the language and interacting with people in their immediate environment will make them to be comfortable anywhere they are because we’re all Nigerians and it’s not good for us as Nigerians to just understand only one language of our birth”.

While stating that the exercise would be a continuous one, the Executive Secretary of NICO advised the corps members to take the training very serious to enable them reap the benefits of understanding more than one Nigerian indigenous language.

He also called for the support of all stakeholders in promoting Nigerian indigenous languages towards effectively harnessing culture for national development.

In a message, the FCT NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Winifred Shokpeka commended NICO for the free Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme for corps members nationwide.

She called for more programmes that would make corps members patriotic and responsible citizens of Nigeria.

Some of the corps members who indicated interest to learn Gbagyi and Hausa languages expressed delight over the free training programme.

Mathew Ayoola, Edited By Grace Namiji