****SPEECH BY SIR EDWIN E. OGIDI-GBEGBAJE AS SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR FOR THE OCCASSION ON THE SENSITIZATION OF STAKEHOLDERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING OF UVWIE DIALECT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS LOCATED IN UVWIE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, HELD ON 12TH JULY, 2024 AT UVWIE TOWN HALL
Protocol:
HRM Dr. Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso Abe1 JP, OON, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom,
Unuevworo of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Hope Akasa,
Hon. Commissioner Sonny Akporokiamo Ekedayen,
Chairman of Occasion Hon Solomon Ighrakpata
Guest Speaker Dr. Edozie C. Godwin
Unuevworos
Usiavwes
Isirierha
Ilorogun, lorogu
Egweyare
Gentlemen of the Press
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
I will like to begin by commending HRM the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom for convening this gathering to advocate for the teaching and learning of Uvwie dialect in Primary schools in Uvwie Local Government Area. My commendation also goes to Engr Chief Daboner for his patriotism in promoting the Uvwie Dialect Restoration Initiative (UDRI) with a view to ensuring that our sons and daughters are able to speak Uvwie dialect fluently. Time will not permit me to mention other personalities whose contributions towards this laudable vision have been quite tremendous. I commend you all!
I know that our guest speaker has spoken to the relevance of today’s gathering and by extension, our quest to protect and preserve our common identity and cultural heritage through the promotion of our dialect.
However, permit me to introduce the matter by stating that the pervading factor of subtractive bilingualism, which made English language as a language of instruction (teaching and learning) in our schools to the detriment of our dialect, has not only culminated in the loss of fluency in its usage, but also the ability to speak our dialect. But does it really matter if as a son or daughter of Uvwie, one is not able to speak Uvwie dialect fluently? Of course, if we must preserve our culture as a people, it matters a great deal! And this is why we are here gathered today.
You will agree with me that beyond ordinarily serving as a means of communication, native language impacts on cultural heritage, religion, moral values, community connections and primordial identity. Therefore, for us as Uvwie people, Uvwie dialect is a fundamental part of our human identity.
Apart from serving the purpose of communication among ourselves, it projects our cultural heritage, values and beliefs, and connects as well as bonds us with our kith and kin at home and in diaspora. Also, the idioms and metaphors expressed in the Uvwie dialect links us to our past, thereby giving insight into our common origin, surroundings, experiences, struggles and achievements over the years.
Obviously, without Uvwie dialect, we cannot talk about Uvwie culture and tradition, let alone have a distinct identity as Uvwie people. It is therefore a welcome development to initiate the teaching and learning of the Uvwie dialect in Primary schools in Uvwie Local Government Area. This initiative could not have come at a better time than now that our consciousness have been awakened to the need to preserve our identity as a people by bequitting to our children and the next generation, our cultural heritage and indeed, our dialect.
The foregoing postulations captures the essence of today’s event. And it is my appeal that after today, every machinery for the actualization of this noble cause should be activated and moved into action. The cause to save our dialect and preserve our cultural heritage is a clarion call, one to which all Uvwie sons and daughters must heed.
Therefore, let us work together to actualize the teaching of Uvwie dialect in our Pimary schools. I am hopeful that through concerted efforts, the approval for the teaching of the Uvwie dialect could be extended to secondary and tertiary institutions of learning. On a final note, I thank you all.
Umogu! Umogu!! Umogu!!!
Ovie R’ Uvwie U Sun Tor.