Language and literature have been described as essential instruments of nation-building that help shape national identity and promote social cohesion.
The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, made the assertion while speaking at the 26th Annual National Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Languages in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics (NATELCEP) held at the U.M Saganuwa Hall, Federal Polytechnic Bida, North-central Nigeria.
The Director General, represented by Deputy Director of Programmes Languages, Zubair Abdurrauf Idris, described language and literature as essential components of society’s cultural heritage and instruments of nation-building.
According to him, the conference is timely, having identified the pivotal role they play in shaping national identity and promoting national cohesion. They also empower people to communicate and interact with one another to explore new areas of mutual interests and beliefs.
The D.G. explained that there was also the need to recognize language diversity as a significant element of Nigeria’s cultural heritage to further strengthen its acceptance and promote multilingualism.
Ndace said, “On its part, VON conveys positive Nigerian and African stories to the rest of the world using eight languages and has concluded plans to introduce Portuguese for the Gulf of Guinea and Bahasa, a language used by Indonesians.”
In his welcoming address, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Bida, Engineer Baba Aliyu Haruna, said the institution is ready to promote national consciousness to harness the role of languages and literature in reviving national consciousness.
Baba further stated that there is a need to reawaken national consciousness, saying the stakeholders involved should play a vital role in creating awareness in promoting the languages in the country.
Also in his opening remarks, the president of the association, Mr. Aaron Nwake Ndu, said the association is working hard to promote languages in the country.
Ndu further stated that language is the unique hallmark of human beings, and the image of a community or society without language cannot be without language.
The 26th national conference of the association held in Bida had in attendance educators and other stakeholders with paper presentations.
