• Prof. Imelda L. Udoh says mother-tongue education key to stronger, united Nigeria
By Waziri Isa Adam Gwantu
The Nigerian Academy of Letters, NAL, has urged the Federal Government to translate the vision of Professor Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose into national policy and sustained educational practice.
This was contained in the convocation lecture delivered by Professor Imelda L. Udoh at NAL’s 28th Convocation and Induction Ceremony.
Prof. Udoh described Bamgbose as one of Africa’s greatest linguists and the Foundation President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters.
She said Bamgbose’s scholarship challenged Nigeria to embrace linguistic diversity not as a source of division, but as a source of strength.
“Future generations will remember him not only as one of Africa’s greatest linguists and the Foundation President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, but also as the scholar whose ideas continue to illuminate the path towards a stronger, more united, and linguistically empowered Nigeria,” Prof. Udoh said.
She stressed that the most enduring tribute Nigerians can pay to Bamgbose is to implement his ideas on language and national development.
The lecturer argued that a mother-tongue-based education policy will improve learning outcomes, strengthen national integration, and promote cultural continuity.
Prof. Udoh called on government, academia, and other stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and commit to policies that treat multilingualism as a national asset.
The 28th Convocation and Induction ceremony brought together scholars, members of the Academy, and other stakeholders in the humanities to celebrate new inductees and reflect on Nigeria’s intellectual future.