Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has pledged government support for a newly developed Ijaw language app, Dayama Demo, as part of efforts to preserve the language and encourage its use among younger generations.
Diri made the pledge on Monday at an Ijaw Language Awareness Campaign in Yenagoa, organized as part of activities marking Bayelsa State’s 30th anniversary.
The governor urged parents to speak Ijaw with their children at home, stressing that government and schools alone could not preserve the language. He also directed the Commissioner for Education to organize Ijaw language quizzes and debates in primary and secondary schools across the state.
Diri said the language awareness program would become an annual event under the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, with next year’s edition expected to involve more families and stakeholders.
He further called for the preservation of other aspects of Ijaw culture, including traditional dressing, food, and customs, and urged the Ijaw National Congress to partner with the state on language revival efforts.
The governor also called for the reactivation of the Prof. Kay Williamson Centre at Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
The summit convener, Ijaw musician Asu Ekiye, said declining everyday use of the language, particularly among young people, posed a serious challenge to its survival. He proposed school language clubs, networks of language champions, and audio-visual documentation of Ijaw oral traditions.
Earlier, Dr. Felix Tuodolo identified the declining use of Ijaw in homes as a major threat, urging families to use the language during everyday interactions and social occasions.
Bayelsa has previously introduced measures to promote Ijaw language education. The state government began initiatives to introduce Ijaw dialects into schools under former governor Seriake Dickson, while earlier efforts also included training and deploying teachers to teach Izon.
The event featured cultural performances and awards for individuals recognized for promoting Ijaw language and traditions.
