by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Commissioner of Tourism and Culture, Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, says the State Government (through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture) has plans to domesticate and implement cultural policies and programs at the grassroots level.
“One of our starting points is the cultural festival, which we plan to entrust exclusively to our royal fathers, as they are the rightful custodians of our traditions and heritage. This way, we can ensure that all our cultural efforts are well coordinated and impactful,” he stated.
Hon. Doeyok made this disclosure when he was speaking during a Nigeria Indigenous Language Council of the Plateau State Chapter, at the Plateau State Autochthonous Language Conference in Jos on Wednesday, which held with a theme: ‘Mother Tongue Education a Panacea for Better Academic Comprehension.’
He said, “The truth is that, this form of education – multilingual education – has the potential to transform learning and comprehension, especially at the foundational level. It is an initiative that aligns with global best practices, and we must all commit to ensuring its sustainability.
“Research has shown that students learn best in environments where they feel comfortable and engaged. When education is delivered in a language familiar to them, students grasp concepts more easily, which in turn enhances critical thinking and helps them express ideas more effectively,” he stressed.
The commissioner added that, “From a cultural standpoint, modern approaches to multilingual education help preserve our rich heritage, while unlocking the immense academic potential within our children.”
He observed that, “Students, who are taught in their indigenous languages, consistently demonstrate improved academic performance and greater self-confidence, knowing that their mother tongue is not only accepted but celebrated – even in this age of globalization, multiculturalism, and technological advancement.
“There is no doubt that, modern multilingual education fosters a more inclusive, effective, and enabling learning environment. It also lays the foundation for the creation of community-based policies that are easier to understand and implement,” he disclosed.
He, therefore, urged the people to mobilize their communities – especially those that have yet to embrace this beautiful initiative – so we can shape a brighter future, not just for the next generation, but for all humanity.
“Also, let us remember that, multilingual education is one of the most powerful tools we have, to preserve our languages and, by extension, our values.”
Hon. Cornelius Doeyok further added that, “To the royal fathers, it goes without saying that, you are the custodians of our culture, and with that comes a great responsibility. We are living in a time when our values are being eroded, and this is closely tied to the decline in the use of our indigenous languages.
“Many of us, especially those residing in cities, struggle to teach our children our mother tongue. This gradual loss contributes to the weakening of our cultural identity.
“With the growing wave of globalization and migration, we are gradually losing control over our native languages. However, platforms such as this provide a unique opportunity to reflect and act,” the commissioner stressed.
In another paper presentation, by Prof. Andrew Haruna, he noted that, “For its sustainability to ensure the lasting impact, Plateau State must embed Mother Tongue Based Education (MTBE) into state education policy and budgets,” adding, “The State should also expand indigenous-language maternal across subjects and levels.
“The government should also establish Language Research Centers; promote local publishing and digital content creation and monitor implementation and scale, based on feedback,” Prof. Haruna stated, while urging them to extend beyond primary school – into junior and senior secondary levels, vocational education and even tertiary institution.