INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY –ABIA RESIDENTS ADVICE PARENTS

REPORTER: JOHN MADUAGWU

Some residents of Abia State have joined in the call for parents to ensure that their children learn their language for their own benefit.

They made the call while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the 2025 International Mother Language Day.

One of them, Miss Ugoeze Njoku, said it was very important for both children and adults to be conversant with their mother tongue and those of others as it aids communication within and outside their environment and could save them from life threatening situations.

For Miss Mmesoma Acho, her children must understand and speak Igbo very well as it was her primary language.

She insists that while English is widely spoken, it cannot take the place of Igbo language which is very important to her.

Another respondent, Mr. Chijioke Ukah, said he was proud of members of ethnic groups and communities that do not joke with their language and freely communicate with each other in that language no matter where they found themselves.

He said it was sad to note that some parents had failed to teach their children their language and rather prioritized English.

The respondent commended those who took it seriously even while living outside the shores of Nigeria.

The International Mother Language Day is marked annually on the 21st of February.

The theme for this year’s rvent is “Languages Matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day.”

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU