AS the 2012 indigenous language programme begins next week across the country, legislators have expressed the need for greater emphasis on minority languages, especially those at the brink of extinction.Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism and leader of the delegation, Senator Ahmed Hassan Barata, on oversight tour of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), organisers of the language programme, pointed out that most languages in the South/South, North East and North Central geo-political zones are more likely to suffer extinction in the near future.Recalling the lingering crises in the Jos, Plateau State, which many have blamed on internal migration, Barata warned that unless some urgent steps are taken to revitalise most minority languages and groups across the federation, many Nigerians may lose their identities and consequently, impose themselves on others.The language training programme was initiated in 2007 with only three main Nigerian languages in the syllabus, including Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. The number was later increased to include some minority languages such as Efik, Fulfulde, Gbagyi, Izon, Nupe as well as Tiv to enable more people benefit from the programme.Earlier, the Executive Secretary, NICO, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, briefed lawmakers on some of the Institute's programmes and projects. While some of the programmes have been successfully implemented this year, the on-going capital projects appeared to be foot-dragging due to paucity of fund. One of such projects, he said, was the Institute's permanent site, which ought to have been completed.He also highlighted some of the measures taken to increase the number of state offices from six to nine across the federation. While some of the new offices have been allocated office blocks, about two ' Niger and Gombe, are in the process of taking off.Aware of the challenges of meagre budgetary appropriation as well as late release of funds to Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), Senator Barata urged NICO management to collaborate with state governors in executing most of its projects, especially those at the states level.Other legislators in the delegation include Senators Sadiq Yar'Adua, Hosea Agboola as well as Abubakar Tutari.Similarly, the committee visited the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), where the Director General, Mallam Yusuf Usman Abdallah, also briefed the guests about the commission's programmes and activities.Abdallah however expressed fear that with the amount appropriated to the Commission in the 2012 budget, it would be difficult to make any meaningful impact, especially on the maintenance, restoration and preservation of monuments and heritage.One of the most affected by the financial situation of the Commission, he said, was the Museum of Traditional and Nigeria Architecture (MOTNA) situated in Plateau state. He also bemoaned the security situation in the Plateau, which has not spared the museums in the State.''Our Museums of Traditional and Nigeria Architecture (MOTNA) situated in Plateau state is in a terrible state. This is supposed to be a centre of unity for the country but nothing has been done to provide the necessary facilities.''He further told lawmakers that the Commission runs 33 museums, maintains six monument as well as two World Heritage Sites. Although, about 100,000 antiquities are collected from diverse cultural backgrounds across the country, Abdallah noted that they have not been properly positioned to yield expected result due to lack of funding. He informed that about 12 new projects are currently being undertaken by the Commission.
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