Itsekiri language must not go extinct- NAIG

In a bid to ensure that the Itsekiri language does not go extinct, the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG under the Presidency of Comrade Oritsegbegbemi Ajagbe today presented  three sets of Itsekiri textbooks, totaling 500 to pupils of Ogiame primary School, Ikengbuwa Primary School, Nana Primary School and students of Nana Model College, all in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

Speaking during the presentation of the sets of Itsekiri textbooks: “Mofe’s Dictionary in Itsekiri- Iwe Umofe”, “Iwe Titon- Owu Isekiri” and “Modern Itsekiri for Today- Itsekiri Gbe Onuwe” to the benefitting schools in commemoration of “International Mother Language day”, slated for February 21, Comrade Oritsegbegbemi Agbaje averred that he hopes the gesture will go a long way in raising the much needed awareness in the use and acceptance of Itsekiri, which is the indigenous language of Warri Kingdom.

He opined that, “the current trend of educational delivery in the country has helped in ostracizing local languages, Itsekiri language inclusive, adding that more worrisome is the gradual acceptance of this status-quo as idealistic and sufficient for our educational and developmental demands”.

A cross section of Ikengbuwa Primary School Teachers, Headmistress, Asst. Headmaster, pupils as well as NAIG members with some sets of the Itsekiri literature

The NAIG President while acknowledging that it is a challenge and responsibility to ensure the preservation of the Itsekiri cultural and linguistic identities, stated that the relevant authorities should enact a sound linguistic policy framework to ensure the utilization of indigenous languages in schools, saying it is a proven fact that people learn and comprehend best in their mother tongue.

In the same vein, former NAIG President, Mr. Lucky Futuge asserted that civilization is gradually taking away Itsekiri cultural values and canvassed for the speaking of mother tongues at home.

He admonished parents to ensure that they speak their local language at home so that their children/wards can pass it on to the next generation.

The Head Mistress of Ogiame Primary School, Mrs. Helen Roli Etie, in a remark stated that the challenge facing her pupils in the study of Itsekiri language was lack of Itsekiri literature to teach the language, stressing that with the gesture from NAIG leadership, teaching and learning of the Itsekiri language will be greatly enhanced in the school.

Responding also, the Head Teacher of Ikengbuwa Primary School, Mrs. Victoria Okpaghoro noted that there is nothing too small or too big to support the teaching as well as learning of Itsekiri language and thanked NAIG for remembering her school for the gesture.

NAIG President, Comrade Oritsegbegbemi Ajagbe (3^rd left) his Exco, other members of the association, Merit Akpita &Hope Amunoghotse

The Guidance and Counselor of Nana Primary School/Nana Model College, Mrs. Tina Wategire while thanking NAIG for the kind gesture, said “if you are doing this now, I know that when you get into bigger positions, you will do more.”  

Meanwhile, the Itsekiri Graduates Association also presented two school bags to a pupil and a student of Nana Primary School and Nana Model College, Merit Akpita and Hope Amunoghotse respectively for their outstanding performance in the recently organized NAIG extra moral lessons/classes.

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