Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has harped on the need to
promote Nigeria’s local languages and culture to drive national development.
Soyinka made the call on Monday during an interactive
session with newsmen following his visit to the Centre for Cultural Studies and
Creative Arts, University of Iloirn, as part of activities leading to the
institution’s maiden Cultural Week.
The literary icon noted that a language is a repository of a
people and community, adding that young people should be encouraged to
understand the language of their forefathers.
According to noble laureate, language is a beautiful tool
for expression.
“In the last head count, it was discovered that there were
300 languages in Nigeria. We need to learn foreign languages that are spoken
and recognised around the world to develop ourselves and the country, but this
should not be to the detriment of our local language.
“We need to learn to read, write and invent in our local
languages, even before we think or compose in other languages, to be able to
conduct research and develop our country,” Soyinka stated.
He maintained that there was a need to transform the old
traditional ways of living to modern in order to get cultural value.
He further stated that there was a need for local languages
to be made compulsory in schools and for Nigerians to know their history and
culture for them to be proud of their heritage.
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