Diri Backs Ijaw Language App, Orders Schools To Promote Mother Tongue

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has pledged his administration’s support for the newly developed Ijaw Language App, code-named Dayama Demo, as part of efforts to preserve and revive the Ijaw language.

Diri made the commitment on Monday at the Ijaw Language Awareness Summit, themed, “Reviving the Izon Language: Heritage, Our Identity, Our Future,” held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State.

The governor expressed concern over the declining use of the Ijaw language, particularly among younger people, and urged parents and other stakeholders to make deliberate efforts to pass the language on to the next generation.

He commended the convener of the summit and popular Ijaw musician, Asu Ekiye, for promoting the language and described him as a true ambassador of the Ijaw nation.

Diri also announced that the Ijaw Language Awareness Day would become an annual event in the state, saying future editions would be anchored by the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs.

He urged private organisations and individuals to support creative talents and initiatives promoting the Ijaw language, culture and traditions.

The governor further called on the Ijaw National Congress to partner with the state government on the language revival project and directed that the Prof. Kay Williamson Centre at Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area be reactivated.

Diri also directed the Commissioner for Education to organise Ijaw language quizzes and debates in primary and secondary schools across the state.

He recalled that efforts to revive the language began under his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, who in 2018 initiated the adoption of the Kolokuma dialect as the central language of the state.

According to him, 200 teachers were subsequently recruited to teach the language in public schools.

“The responsibility of teaching our children our language lies squarely with parents. So every family should strive to communicate always in their mother tongue,” Diri said.

He added that the revival of the Ijaw language should extend beyond communication to the preservation of traditional dressing, cuisine and other aspects of Ijaw cultural heritage.

In his keynote address, former Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, identified the declining use of the mother tongue in homes as one of the major threats to the survival of the Ijaw language.

Tuodolo also cited the preference for other indigenous languages and the removal of Izon from the list of official languages in Nigeria as challenges confronting the language.

He urged Ijaw people to use the language more frequently at home, during ceremonies and in other social engagements as part of efforts to preserve their identity.

The summit convener, Ekiye, said the survival of the Ijaw language depended largely on the choices and actions of the people, noting that its everyday use was declining, particularly among younger generations.

He called for immediate government intervention, including formal recognition of the Ijaw Language Resuscitation Initiative and the establishment of a state focal unit.

Ekiye also proposed systematic audio-visual documentation of Ijaw oral histories, songs, proverbs and stories, as well as the creation of a language champions network and school language clubs in pilot communities.

The summit also featured awards for Ekiye and Barrister Smooth for their contributions to the promotion of Ijaw language and tradition through music, while veteran journalist Asu Beks was honoured for his contribution to Ijaw values and traditions through journalism.

Performances at the event included those by B2S Tare Oge Master, Trace Ailies, Dr. Gesiere Ebizimor-Nicholas, Erema Yanga and Pastor Amange BE Amange.