Bayelsa Governor launches initiatives to preserve Ijaw language

During celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri has launched initiatives to preserve and revive the Ijaw language. Speaking at the Ijaw Language Awareness Summit in Yenagoa, the Governor expressed concern regarding the declining use of the language among younger generations.

To combat this, Diri pledged government support for 'Dayama Demo', a newly developed Ijaw language application. He also directed the Commissioner for Education to implement Ijaw language quizzes and debates within primary and secondary schools across the state.

Governor Diri emphasized that language preservation is a collective responsibility, urging parents to use their mother tongue as the primary means of communication at home. He further announced that the language awareness campaign will become an annual event anchored by the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs. The Governor also called for the reactivation of the Prof. Kay Williamson Centre and urged the Ijaw National Congress to partner with the state on these cultural revival efforts.