The following item from the Lagos paper, Vanguard, was seen
on the lgpolicy list. More information on the Edo language is available or
linked at http://www.panafril10n.org/PanAfrLoc/Edo
BNC makes case for Edo language policy
http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5417&Itemid=44
Written by Simon Ebegbulem
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
THE Benin National Congress (BNC) a socio-cultural organisation
in Edo State, has urged the state House of Assembly to prevail on the relevant
authorities in the state to implement the Edo language policy in all private
and public schools, so as to save the cultural heritage of the Binis from
extinction
The Congress through a letter addressed to the Speaker of
the state House of Assembly, Mr Zakawanu Garuba, signed by its National
President, Mr Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, lamented that non-teaching of the
subject as well as the significance of the cultural heritage such as dancing
steps, artifact, moats, dresses and historical tales has in no small measure
denied the younger generations of the essence of enculturation.
It pointed out that Edo language was listed among the
languages to extinct before the year 2020 by the United National Education,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) report of last year, saying that
since the emergence of that report, governments and concerned groups across the
globe have been articulating ways to save their heritage from the "sad
prediction".
"As a cultural heritage group, we hold our people the
duty to raise the stake for the safety of our heritage hence our resolve to
humbly appeal to you to ensure that not only is Edo language taught in our
schools, it must be made compulsory for every student of Edo State origin to
secure a pass as a promotional yardstick" it stated.
According to the letter, the "primary aim of this
letter is to solicit your intervention by way of giving effect or life to Edo
Language policy which exists in our primary and post primary school curricula,
because it is laughable and denigrating that our younger generations lack the
basic knowledge both historical and contemporary of our linguistic status and
significance both as a race and a society.
"Edo people particularly those resident abroad have
sustained the good pressure on us to make the humble appeal for your
intervention on the collective behalf of Edo people. We are sure that if a
public sitting is conducted on this issue, the turnout of patriotic Edo people
on this issue will be very re-assuring" it said.
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