The following item from the Lagos paper, Vanguard, was seen on the lgpolicy list. More information on the Edo language is available or linked at http://www.panafril10n.org/PanAfrLoc/Edo
BNC makes case for Edo language policy http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5417&It emid=44 Written by Simon Ebegbulem Tuesday, 25 March 2008 THE Benin National Congress (BNC) a socio-cultural organisation in Edo State, has urged the state House of Assembly to prevail on the relevant authorities in the state to implement the Edo language policy in all private and public schools, so as to save the cultural heritage of the Binis from extinction The Congress through a letter addressed to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Zakawanu Garuba, signed by its National President, Mr Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, lamented that non-teaching of the subject as well as the significance of the cultural heritage such as dancing steps, artifact, moats, dresses and historical tales has in no small measure denied the younger generations of the essence of enculturation. It pointed out that Edo language was listed among the languages to extinct before the year 2020 by the United National Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) report of last year, saying that since the emergence of that report, governments and concerned groups across the globe have been articulating ways to save their heritage from the "sad prediction". "As a cultural heritage group, we hold our people the duty to raise the stake for the safety of our heritage hence our resolve to humbly appeal to you to ensure that not only is Edo language taught in our schools, it must be made compulsory for every student of Edo State origin to secure a pass as a promotional yardstick" it stated. According to the letter, the "primary aim of this letter is to solicit your intervention by way of giving effect or life to Edo Language policy which exists in our primary and post primary school curricula, because it is laughable and denigrating that our younger generations lack the basic knowledge both historical and contemporary of our linguistic status and significance both as a race and a society. "Edo people particularly those resident abroad have sustained the good pressure on us to make the humble appeal for your intervention on the collective behalf of Edo people. We are sure that if a public sitting is conducted on this issue, the turnout of patriotic Edo people on this issue will be very re-assuring" it said. **************************** Disclaimer ****************************** Copyright: In accordance with Title 17, United States Code Section 107, this material is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material posted to this list for purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Content: The sender does not vouch for the veracity nor the accuracy of the contents of this message, which are the sole responsibility of the copyright owner. Also, the sender does not necessarily agree or disagree with any opinions that are expressed in this message. **********************************************************************
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