By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
A common perception in Nigeria that language studies are less valuable than fields like law or engineering was fiercely challenged as a university don declared that the mother tongue is the ultimate “key/power to everything we do today.”
Dr. Goodluck Chigbo Nwode, Head of the Department of Languages and Linguistics at Ebonyi State University (EBSU), used the platform of the 3rd EBSULINGS International Conference to fire back at critics who perpetually undervalue local languages, particularly Igbo.
“People don’t know that language is the key/power to everything we do today,” Dr. Nwode asserted. “You can find today we have technology, socioeconomics, policies, all based on language… People will say that ‘ah he studied language,’ but without language you can’t do anything.”
The linguist insisted that the days of viewing local language studies as a lesser pursuit are over, pointing to clear examples of its global impact and practical utility.
“Language is a mirror where anyone can see,” Dr. Nwode stated. “People will say if you don’t study law, medicine, you’re nobody, but today, we that studied language are everywhere.”
He highlighted the case of Ebere Atamah, who received an award at the conference, noting that it was her connection to Igbo language and culture that helped her secure a place at Oxford University. He also highlighted the work of a scholar named Ogbonna, who is successfully translating physics concepts into the Igbo language.
“We are proud to tell the world that Igbo language is going globally,” he declared.
The importance of the mother tongue was further affirmed by the State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, who was presented with an award at the event.
The Commissioner revealed that the state government actively encourages the use of local dialect even in the inner workings of state business.
“Even in exco we have a day we delegate, we speak our dialect. You present your memos with your dialect, that’s to tell you how vital language can be,” Engr. Mbam said.
He passionately encouraged parents and institutions to prioritize indigenous languages, warning that many Nigerian children can “barely speak their dialect.”
“The English we speak here is a borrowed language,” he noted. “No matter how you want your child to speak fluently, or Queen’s English, L-tongue should not be forgotten because that is who you are, that’s where you come from.”
The conference Chairman, Dr. Jeremiah Anene Nwankwegu, summarized the gathering’s goal by stating that its essence was to affirm that language is not a “passive ornament of society, but an active agent in shaping a digital, holistic future.”