Mrs. Ifeoma Esiri, Co-Founder of the Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), emphasized the importance of children being able to speak, read, and write in their local languages to preserve cultural heritage. She spoke during this year’s International Literacy Day celebration at the National Library Annex, Lagos, organized in partnership with the National Library of Nigeria (NLN).
Esiri noted that many children struggle to speak their native languages fluently, which threatens the survival of cultural practices and proverbs essential for communication. She urged the government to implement policies that encourage the use of indigenous languages and called on parents to converse with their children in their native tongues.
Esiri also advocated for the establishment of literacy centers across communities to support this cause.
National Librarian Prof. Veronica Chinwe reported Nigeria’s literacy level at 62 percent and highlighted UNESCO’s declaration of 2022-2032 as the decade of the promotion of indigenous languages, stressing their importance for societal development.
The event also featured Chief Newton Jibunoh, who shared his experiences crossing the Sahara Desert, inspiring students to stay focused in their lives. The celebration was attended by students and pupils from primary and secondary schools in the Yaba area of Lagos.