…Cautions against abandoning indigenous languages

…Cautions against abandoning indigenous languages
By Abubakar Imam

World renowned literary scholar and rights activist, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has reminded Nigerians of the need to preserve indigenous cultures, languages and materials.

Prof. Soyinka gave this charge last Monday (May 19, 2025) while speaking with press men as part of activities marking his working visit to the University of Ilorin.

The Nobel Laureate was the Guest of Honour at the maiden edition of the institution’s Cultural Week.

The renowned international statesman said that the abandonment of the local languages, traditions and materials is an act of cultural imperialism.

Prof. Soyinka, who is the first African Nobel Prize winner in Literature, explained that for Africa and Nigeria, specifically, to advance, citizens should dream, think and speak in our languages, saying that humanity would be richer if we prioritise what is ours.

The nonagenarian described languages as repositories of culture, history and intellection and must, therefore, be used as a tool of advancing national development.

He insisted that the abandonment of indigenous languages is like an attraction of wars on local histories and future development.

Welcoming the gradual reintroduction of the teaching of History in our schools, Prof. Soyinka explained that it is always important for us and particularly members of the younger generations to know how we get to the position we are for them to avoid mistakes committed along the lines to make the journey to proper nationhood easier.

While encouraging the study and adoption of Science and Technology, Prof. Soyinka said Humanities should not be abandoned.

He added that Humanities and Technology should be integrated, saying that the proper exploration of the former would regulate the use of the latter to the advantage of mankind.

On his view of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Soyinka said that he had visited the institution before.

He commended the large expanse of land allocated to the University as he also said that the serene nature of the University makes it closer to nature, which he said would always be conducive for teaching, learning and research.

Prof. Soyinka equally commended the spate of progress being recorded by the University, saying that it is gradually closing up to its “elderly siblings”.

The media interaction was graced by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; the Deputy Vice Chancellor(Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Etudaiye; the Director, Centre for Creative and Cultural Studies, Prof. Raymond Ogunade and the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, who moderated the session.