Wife of Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, has called on Nigerians to preserve and promote their indigenous languages, describing mother tongues as powerful symbols of identity and socio-cultural participation.
Speaking to mark the 2026 International Mother Language Day, she urged citizens to value, protect and proudly speak their native languages.
In a statement commemorating the day, Mrs. Soludo emphasised that mother tongues are invaluable cultural treasures that must be carried with pride.
She encouraged citizens to speak their native languages confidently and unapologetically, warning that many indigenous languages are gradually disappearing due to neglect and a lack of celebration.
“Mother language is a treasure that everyone should carry with pride. No one can protect it better than the person who owns it,” she said.
“There is no shame in speaking your mother tongue and celebrating its beauty and uniqueness. Speak it without fear, without limitation, and without apology,” she said.
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Dr Soludo, founder of the Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo initiative, stressed that language remains central to cultural continuity and community identity. According to her, culture is incomplete if it does not reflect the distinctiveness of the language that binds a people together.
“Language is a genuine identity,” she noted. “Your mother tongue is your emblem of socio-cultural participation. Let no one tell you that you cannot speak it. Speak it. Cherish it. Be proud of it,” she stated.
Reinforcing her message, she concluded with a declaration in Igbo: “Abụ m ezigbo onye Igbo hụrụ asụsụ ya n’anya nke ukwu. Translated to mean “I am a true Igbo person who loves their language very much.”
Her remarks echo growing global concerns about the erosion of indigenous languages and underscore the need for communities to take active roles in preserving their linguistic heritage for future generations.
International Mother Language Day, observed annually on 21 February, promotes linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as multilingualism, around the world.
The global event was first proclaimed by UNESCO on 17 November 1999 and was later formally recognised by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 56/26 in 2002.