UNESCO tasks govt on policies to sustain use of mother tongue
NAN-ELS-5
Mother tongue
By Justina Auta
Abuja, Feb. 21, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has urged the Federal Government to adopt language policies that would ensure the sustenance of mother tongue.
NAN reports that the International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is observed annually across the globe on Feb. 21, to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and promote multilingualism.
Mr Ifeanyi Ajaegbo, UNESCO’s National Professional Officer in charge of Culture, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the sustenance of mother tongue would ensure it does not go extinct.
Ajaegbo said that there was the need for government to protect its indigenous languages, in view of the multilingual nature of the country, adding that it should be school curriculum and individual interaction.
“ UNESCO research shows that one language dies every two weeks worldwide, taking away people’s history and cultural heritage.’’
He therefore urged the government, stakeholders and parents to ensure that they encourage children to learn their indigenous languages, as well as communicate in it in public spaces.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child requires that governments ensure “the development of respect for the child’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own”.
A total of 196 countries including Nigeria are signatories to the convention; Upholding international law includes upholding this promise to speakers of mother languages.(NAN)
JAD/EAL/EAL
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi