By Umar Zubainatu Kambari
Stakeholders in education, culture, and community development converged on Saturday at the Murtala Nyako State Secretariat, Yola, for a one-day seminar titled “The Importance of Language for Societal Development.”
The event, chaired by the Adamawa State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Garba Umar Pella, brought together policymakers, scholars, and cultural advocates to discuss the critical role of indigenous languages in fostering unity, identity, and national development.
Special guests included Hon. Zakaria Dauda Nyampa, PhD; Dr. Ishaya Dabari Mamman as Guest of Honour; and Hon. Aloysius Babadoke, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, who served as Chief Host. The Chairlady of the occasion was Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno, Member representing Demsa Constituency.
Speakers emphasised that language remains a core pillar of cultural identity and a major driver of social, political, and economic progress. They highlighted that indigenous languages preserve history, strengthen community bonds, shape worldviews, and enable effective communication in diverse societies.
Presenters warned that neglecting or allowing native languages to fade results in the irreversible loss of essential heritage and knowledge.
The seminar called for the establishment of a Nigerian Indigenous Language Development Council (NILDC) to promote preservation efforts and formulate policies that support harmony in Nigeria’s multilingual landscape.
Culture and development scholar Kalep Bulus Fillip stressed that culture and indigenous languages play decisive roles in achieving sustainable national development. He described culture as the foundation of identity and creativity, driving innovation, economic growth, and social cohesion.
Mr. Fillip explained that language is vital for political participation, education, commerce, and tourism, adding that multilingual nations must adopt inclusive policies to protect linguistic diversity. He urged the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to champion the creation of the NILDC.
Delivering a goodwill message, Hon. Zakaria Dauda Nyampa, Member representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency, stated that parents bear the primary responsibility for teaching their children native languages.
“We have lost our identities to foreign languages, and our inability to speak and understand our own languages has become a critical problem,” he said. He advocated early childhood exposure to indigenous languages, citing the inspiring example of a five-year-old Yoruba boy crowned the youngest chief after writing 5,000 Yoruba proverbs.
In his keynote address, Hon. Aloysius Babadoke, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, emphasised the need to revive traditional values and embrace indigenous languages to empower communities and promote sustainable development.
He commended the Adamawa State Government for supporting cultural initiatives and announced plans to implement cultural and educational programmes in secondary schools to strengthen heritage awareness among students.
Representing the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Hammawa Rufus reaffirmed the ministry’s recognition of language as the cornerstone of thought, culture, and identity.
“Language is not merely a tool for communication but the lens through which we perceive the world and share our experiences,” he said.
He described the seminar as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange, aimed at addressing challenges in promoting linguistic development and cultural appreciation across the state.
The seminar, held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., concluded with a collective commitment from participants to champion indigenous language preservation as the foundation for sustainable societal growth.
