LAGOS OCTOBER 14TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The Urhobo Studies Association (USA) based at the Delta State University, Abraka has commended the National President of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), United Kingdom (UK), Chief (Barrister) Emmanuel Okpako Ganiga over the donation of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira Only) towards facilitating the printing of the Urhobo Language Curriculum for Basic Education (Primary 1-6 and Junior Secondary School 1-3).
Ganiga who is also the Managing Partner of Gans and Co. Solicitors, LLP, London made this donation in his personal capacity in response to the plea by Professor Godini Gabriel Darah on behalf of USA during the UPU UK Lecture Day/National Convention in August this year.
In a statement signed by the association’s Chairman, Professor (Mrs) Rose Oro Aziza, the Vice Chairman, Dr. Sunny Awhefeada and the Secretary, Mr. Eyankuaire Moses Darah and made available to the press, the group thanked Chief (Barrister) Ganiga immensely for his show of love and commitment to the development of the Urhobo language.
The statement revealed that “the project started in 2007 with the translation of the Federal Government Curriculum for major Nigerian languages into Urhobo. Thereafter, the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC), the Federal Government agency responsible for the development of curricula and learning materials in Nigeria, was invited to pilot the writing, production and approval of the Urhobo Language Curriculum through the Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE) and the National Council on Education (NCE) – the final approving body”.
The aim of the association according to the group’s statement is “to complete all the processes towards making the Urhobo language an examination subject for West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO). The next stage after the printing and distribution of the curriculum for Basic Education is to develop the one for Senior Secondary education”.
While praying for the blessing of the Almighty God upon Chief (Barrister) Ganiga, USA however noted that the total amount of money needed for the printing of the curriculum is still incomplete, and therefore appealed to all sons and daughters of Urhobo, both at home and in Diaspora, including those in DESOPADEC and other governmental boards, agencies, political offices and the academia to contribute towards this noble project, so as to liberate the Urhobo language from the threat of extinction.