Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has called for collective efforts to preserve the Ijaw language, warning that its survival cannot be left to government and teachers alone.
Governor Diri made the call at an Ijaw Language Awareness Campaign held in Yenagoa as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State.
It was a celebration of language, identity and culture as Ijaw sons and daughters converged at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall to raise awareness on the need to preserve the Ijaw language.
The event featured music, cultural displays and art performances, bringing together political leaders, cultural stakeholders and other members of the public.
Governor Diri said the Bayelsa anniversary goes beyond the creation of a state, describing it as a celebration of the identity of the Ijaw people.
He urged parents to take responsibility for passing the language to the younger generation, noting that government and teachers cannot do it alone.
The convener and Ijaw gospel artist, Asu Ekiye and other stakeholders say preserving the language requires urgent action to ensure that Ijaw remains spoken, taught and celebrated beyond Bayelsa and Nigeria.
The Governor also announced government’s support for an online Ijaw language platform created by young people, directed the Commissioner for Education to intensify the teaching of Ijaw language in schools and adopt the awareness campaign as an annual event.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
