Modify National Institute for Nigerian Languages Aba to Enhance Study, Fed Govt urged

Ikenna Orioha

Federal Government has been urged to ensure it modifies the National Institute for Nigerian Languages, NINLAN, Aba, Abia State, to enhance research, teaching, documentation and coordination of studies in indigenous languages.

Notably, NINLAN was set up by Decree 117 of 30th December, 1993 as the Apex Institution for research, teaching, documentation and coordination of studies in indigenous languages.

The plea to the federal government to improve the National Institute for Nigerian Languages to encourage academic excellence among youths, was made by Prof Obiajulu Emejulu, Executive Director, NINLAN, during an interview with journalists at a function in Owerri, recently.

Prof Emejulu, who stated that NINLAN has the vision to achieve its mandate in the NINLAN Act of Awarding Degrees, Diploma and Certificates, being a Center for Research and Learning in indigenous languages, had secured approval of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, to commence National Certificate in Education, NCE programs in some subject areas.

Prof Emejulu who noted that NINLAN “is an Inter- University Center for Nigerian Language Study, an autonomous institution under the regulation of the National University Commission, NUC”, appealed to the federal government not to shy away from funding the institute adequately in order to equip it for improved studies.

He added that indigenous languages are better than foreign languages, saying “studies all over the world have shown that students who learn with their mother’s tongues do very well in school for the rest of their lives. Hence it is our duty to learn, speak our indigenous languages, being multi- lingual is an advantage because we should not speak only English language. NINLAN is suppose to develop teachers, books and materials in indigenous languages, but over the years federal government has not supported us very well.

“It is a mystery that the same federal government which established NINLAN abandoned it. And handed over the School to Nsukka for eight, 8 years upon Federal High Court judgment, Umuahia which restored the autonomy of NINLAN and sent Nsukka packing four, 4years ago.

“We are working to rebuild the School, as well as for another important institution at Aba”.

Emejulu, however call on the federal government to also repair the road leading to NINLAN located along Opobo, Azumini Road, Ogbor, Aba which is highly dilapidated to attract patronage.

…©️News Corner.