Language Extinction: Edo Language Day Worldwide Holds 2023 Summit

By EDITOR

Following great concern by the United Nations (UN) call that at least 50 percent of today’s spoken languages will go into extinct by 2100, some indigenes of Edo State are preparing to celebrate the first annual Edo Language Day Worldwide scheduled to take place in Toronto (Canada) and Edo State (Nigeria) on August 12th and 13th, 2023.

The 2023 Edo Indigenous Language Worldwide, which will have presentations for Edo Elders Awards, Storytelling and Edo Poems, has the theme: “The Revitalization and Harmonization of Edo Language.”

The Annual event which is the initiative of Nekpen Obasogie, CEO of NEBO TV, Canada was first celebrated on August 13, 2022 and was endorsed by prominent Edo indigenes among whom is the former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, High Priest Osemwegie Ebohon, Barrister Osagie Obayuwana, Lady Aghabiomon Ogbeiwi and Professor Alex Igbineweka.Other important dignitaries who also endorsed the event include Chief Dr. Billy Osawaru, Dr. Patricia Fadaka-Igbinovia, the First Female Mechanic in Nigeria, Sandra Aguebor as well as His Royal Highness Felix Omorodion (the Duke of Evbohuan) and many others.

According to Nekpen Obasogie, “the Edo Language Day initiative is aimed at reviving the Edo Indigenous languages and dialects in the three senatorial districts of Edo State. These include the main Edo language, Esan, Afemai, Ora, Etsako and other Indigenous dialects of Edo State. Nekpen Obasogie who is also the Global Coordinator of Edo Language Day Worldwide, said that “this year’s event will be hosted by NEBO TV Canada, in partnership with Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs and the University of Toronto, Canada.“

The event has been scheduled to hold (in-person and virtually) on August 12th, 2023, at the University of Toronto in Canada and Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, including other locations in Edo State. The main ceremony will take place on Sunday, August 13th, virtually (via Zoom) worldwide”, Nekpen Obasogie explained.

“The guest speakers according to Nekpen Obasogie include Prof. Osarhieme Osadolor (an international erudite scholar and former Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma); Dr. Beatrice Osaro Oreoluwa of the University of Lagos, and Professor Irene Isoken Agunloye of the University of Jos, Nigeria.

Other speakers are “the former Pro-Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Dr. Orhue Isibor; a dynamic cultural icon and Member of House of Representatives, Chief Dr. Billy Osawaru and Hon. Prince Bamidele Obaitan, former Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs in Edo State, among others”.

Dignitaries expected to grace the occasion include the Executive Governor of Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki, two-time Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, Slizzy E from Dallas, USA and Senator Daisy Danjuma, who will be the Mother of the Day.

Nekpen Obasogie emphasised that revitalizing Indigenous languages requires the efforts of Indigenous peoples worldwide and however enjoined every stakeholders to join hands to make the 2023 Edo Language Worldwide an impactful event.