Culture

Adamawa Seminar Highlights Importance of Indigenous Languages

Published

9 months ago

November 30, 2025

Adamawa seminar urges preservation of indigenous languages, highlighting their role in culture, education, and sustainable societal development in Nigeria

Stakeholders in education, culture, and community development gathered on Saturday at the Murtala Nyako State Secretariat, Yola, for a one-day seminar titled “The Importance of Language for Societal Development.”

Also read: Yoruba Ranks Among 40 Most Spoken Languages Worldwide

The event, chaired by Adamawa State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Garba Umar Pella, convened 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.

Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno, representing Demsa Constituency, chaired the occasion.

Speakers stressed that indigenous languages are central to cultural identity and a driver of social, political, and economic progress. They warned that neglecting native languages could lead to irreversible loss of heritage and knowledge.

Culture and development scholar Kalep Bulus Fillip highlighted that language underpins education, commerce, political participation, and tourism.

He urged the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to champion the creation of a Nigerian Indigenous Language Development Council (NILDC) to preserve linguistic diversity and foster national harmony.

Hon. Zakaria Dauda Nyampa emphasized parents’ role in teaching native languages, citing the example of a five-year-old Yoruba boy crowned the youngest chief after demonstrating mastery of 5,000 Yoruba proverbs.

In his keynote address, Hon. Babadoke underscored the need to revive traditional values and implement cultural and educational programmes in schools to strengthen heritage awareness.

Dr. Hammawa Rufus, representing the Commissioner for Education, affirmed that language is the cornerstone of thought, culture, and identity, describing the seminar as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange.

Also read: Top 10 most spoken languages in the world 2024

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.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”