The ‘Ibibio Language’ In Our Contemporary Society: The Need For Revival -By Edikan Ekanem

Edikan Ekanem

May I start this little but pointed exposition with two Ibibio adages: ‘inuen afudökö ke eñyoñg, mkpat awöd isön’ (no matter the escape velocity a bird attains in the sky, it stretches the legs downward) and ‘kwa udua, kwa udua, ukana adada’ (in every market there is an African oil bean).

This exposition will base it’s prerequisites on the interpretation of these two adages. These two adages have one central theme of “nativity”. They stress out the impact on native occurrences and developments.

Before I proceed, it should be noted that, the “Ibibio language” as used in the caption and the body of this work is in a represented form, it shields and covers all languages in Akwa Ibom state.

It so sad and appalling seeing that people pay no or less attention to our own Ibibio language, parents refrain and prohibits their wards from speaking Ibibio language at home. They even make no mistake of naming their children Ibibio names which has contributed to the way our 21st century children view our own Ibibio language as excreta. It’s indeed pathetic.

The question that should be bored in which form the crux of the natter is: How does learning Ibibio language dimple or stops students academic excellence in English? This is the material particular of this exposition.

The way we view our language is what has been considered to be ” neo colonialism” which I agree with it totally. We are still influenced with white men mentally that our own things are not good and are less superior. We cannot move forward if we continue this way, we will still be limping and crawling forever.

If we consider our own Ibibio language to be inferior, what do we think other tribes will do to our language? Exalt and hold it in high esteem? Definitely not. ‘Anie ufok amakod ufök ataha, mböhö esin ikañg’. We should never again disregard our dear language. Let’s leave this ideology that one language is superior to our own.

If I may ask, does Jehovah our God exalt one tribe, language above the other? Let the Bible gives us a glimpse.

The account of Acts 10: 34,35 States thus; “At this Peter began to speak, and he said: “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him”

Also, Revelation 14: 6 envisages as follows: And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue (language groups) and people.

From the foregoing portions of the Bible, we have seen unequivocally that Jehovah God does not place much attention to one language over another, he is impartial. He welcomes all who come to him irrespective of the background, language inclusive. We should dump this mentally of inferiority of our language.

In a paper written by professor Barbara Seidlhofer of Vienna University, he made known English as the lingual franca, but he pointed also to the existence of other native language including Ibibio. Why then do we disregard our own language? Nigeria is a State of over 200 languages (including Ibibio language), let’s be proud of language mbok.

Our own Sir Justice Udo Udoma spoke Ibibio language and still gained popularity inside and outside the county. Chinua Achebe wrote extensively in English but never forsake his own Igbo language. His novels and other works were translated into Igbo. This esteem he gave his native language moved him forward instead of backward. This is a case study. Examples of people who treasured their own language will be story for another day.

I hereby call on the Commissioner for Culture and tourism, Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly, teachers, Paramount Rulers, clan Heads, village heads preachers in various Akwa Ibom churches, concerned and Akwa Ibomites in and outside the state to stand up and let us restore the beauty, the glory, the dignity and splendour of Akwa Ibom Language.

It is high time we started thinking negatively over our own language, our thinking faculty should be purged and sanitised. Let’s rise to bring back our language.

Ete ete unen akedia ke ifum, eka eka usen akedia kpasuk ke ifum, se nditö unen edikut edia, ke ifum, iditeke unen esit, eyak etang Ikö ukañg nnyin mbok nditö Akwa Ibom.

#Bringbackourlanguage.

Thank you.

Edikan Ekanem is a student of University of Uyo, a writer, a columnist, a literal observer, an analyst, a critic but remains politically neutral. He can be reached at: 08130015006,eddy4jah@gmail.com.