Qatar and Nigeria have deepened cultural exchange through a translation and international understanding programme in Arabic and Yoruba languages.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Nigeria Centre for Arabic Research and the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding in Qatar.
Both are collaborating to call for nominations of Arabic translators to Yoruba Language and Yoruba to Arabic languages which will be evaluated by experts in the fields of Arabic and Yoruba translations after which the best works will receive 2,000 dollars award.
The Spokesperson and Media Advisor for the Sheikh Hamad Award Dr. Hanan Al Fayyad made this known in Lagos during a media conference on the awards.
According to Dr. Hanan, this year’s categories include translations of single books from Arabic to Yoruba and Yoruba to Arabic language.
Dr. Hanan who spoke through an interpreter, Mohammed Bashir said that “the Award seeks to honor translators and acknowledge their roles in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar.”
’’The objective of the Sheikh Hamad Awards is to increase and encourage translation and to honor the roles of translators in building the bridges between the countries and to inspect the work that they provided. This year, the Yoruba Language has been selected as one of the languages in the second category,” he explained.
The National President, Nigeria institute of translators and interpreters, Dr. Aliy Abdulwaheed Adebisi described the programme as a welcome development that would impact positively to the country’s economy, urging the youths not to take it for granted.
He said; ”This competition is a very welcome idea to the country’s economy. We’re talking of a hundred thousand dollars, if like ten people in the country won the competition, you know how this huge amount will key in to Nigerian economy. It’s a motivator for Nigerian youths to work harder and do the more in translation.”
Dr Adebisi identified the use of terminologies as one of the major challenges encountered by the media in translating news stories and programmes.
He advised the Media translators to have better understanding of some terminologies before going into the studio.
Also, the Deputy Director Digital Media Voice of Nigeria, Dr. Qasim Akinreti appreciated the collaboration in promoting cultural values and languages.
He identified some of the benefits of the collaboration between Nigeria and Qatar saying; “The first thing they’ll benefit is the interaction between the Scholars from Qatar University. They’ll exchange ideas on how they will promote languages, both Arabic and Yoruba Language. It’s an extension of research work between both countries, Nigeria and Qatar. Another benefit is to promote global understanding, peaceful and peaceful coexistence. Eventually we’ll see Scholars from Nigeria visiting Qatar University for further studies.”
Dr Akinreti also said the Qatar based Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation Understanding would sign a memorandum of understanding with Voice of Nigeria to strengthen Arabic language broadcasts.
Promoting VON
The event was equally used as an avenue to promote Voice of Nigeria, VON as the Deputy Director Programmes, Dr. Tajudeen Adebayo briefed the gathering on the mission and vision of VON, and its broadcasts in eight (8) languages which are; English, French, Hausa, Arabic, Kiswahili, Fulfulde, Yoruba and Igbo.
The Secretary General of the Nigeria Centre for Arabic Research, Dr. Alimi Saeed Akanbi also advised the Nigerian government to support various institutional bodies in charge of translations on training and publishing.
The event drew a number of scholars from different universities and Islamic religious leaders in the country who converged to rob minds and chat ways forward for a global understanding.
The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International was founded in Doha, Qatar, in 2015, to strengthen relationships with various people and nations globally.
It is also to promote the Arabic and Islamic culture and encourage Arabic and other indigenous languages through translation.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
