By Ijendu Iheaka
The National Institute for Nigeria Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Nigeria says it has signed an agreement with a Chinese company to develop keyboards incorporating Nigerian languages orthograph for easier language development.
The Executive Director (ED) of NINLAN, Prof Ogbonna Onuoha, disclosed this at the first Matriculation Ceremony to welcome degree students into the institution at its Obikabia-Ovom campus near Aba on Friday.
“We are partnering a Chinese Technology Firm to develop specialised computer keyboards with indigenous language
characters, to support reading, writing, and digital content creation in some Nigerian languages.
“The Institute is also pioneering Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text applications powered by natural language processing algorithms to facilitate modern teaching, learning and research in Nigerian Languages.
“We have equally designed the NINLAN Nigerian Languages Online (NNLO)
Programme, which, when launched, will deliver certificate and diploma programmes virtually to all interested prrsons.” He said.
Onuoha said the programme would serve people at home and abroad, including foreigners seeking to acquire proficiency in Nigerian languages, for businesses, careers, diplomatic, or cultural purposes.
He said the event, which was the 7th Matriculation Ceremony of NINLAN which admitted about 433 students, was historic because it incorporated the the pioneer degree students of the language Institution.
Onuoha said the institution was currently affiliated with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, to position it to take its rightful place in the community of Nigeria’s degree-awarding institutions.
He urged the students to recognise that the opportunity comes with enormous
expectations and responsibilities, hence their watchword must be diligence, discipline and commitment to scholarship ideals.
Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka ,with which NINLAN is in academic affiliation, welcomed the students, wishing them a successful academic outing.
She said that NINLAN, which was established in 1993, had a unique job in Nigeria’s educational system, of which was to coordinate studies, research, teaching and documentation of Nigerian languages.
Arinze-Umeobi warned the students to desist from truancy, cultism, examination malpractice and forgery of credentials stressing that culprits would be punished even by withdrawing their degrees.
The UNIZIK V-C was represented at the event by Prof. George Onwudiwe of the Department of Igbo, African and Communication Studies.
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Chijioke Okwelle, congratulated the institution and the students for their new strides.
He said that the matriculating students were pathfinders and carried the honour, responsibility and burden of being its first degree students.
He promised that the NCCE will continue to support NINLAN, prayed that its new era will be bright while urging all stakeholders to support its growth.
Okwelle was represented by Dr Sunday Ezeme, the Provost, Federal College of Education, Ofeme, Ohuhu, Abia.
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, represented by the JAMB Coordinator Abia , Mrs Juliet Aniekwe, congratulated the students and charged them to be of good conduct and respectful.
Favour Godwin, a matriculating student in English and Igbo in Education faculty, said she was glad to be in NINLAN because the environment was impactful and conducive for learning.
She counselled other students wishing to study at a university to join NINLAN without wasting time.
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news and analyses around the globe.
