The Edo State Government has concluded plans to introduce the study of Bini language into the state’s school curricula, Governor Adams Oshiomhole disclosed on Tuesday.
Speaking at his investiture as the Patron of the Benin Cultural Heritage Centre, Oshiomhole said: “The objectives of the Centre is line with my conviction that if our heritage must be preserved, our children must be able to read and write in the Bini language.
“Given the geographical entity of Nigeria, we need to unite our people and speak with one voice under a paramount ruler, the Oba of Benin, who is highly respected across the country and even outside the country.
“I think you have set for yourself a very challenging goal, but one that with the support of every well-meaning Edo people and every well, meaning Bini person you will achieve a lot.
“I had opportunity to meet you in the past and we have rubbed minds on a number of issues and I am convinced that you have started doing the right thing by not continuously lamenting what we have lost but rather organizing to reposition and reclaim what we have lost and the starting point is get others to teach the Bini language.”
The governor said there are a lot of vacancies in the teaching service, adding that the necessary machinery would be set in motion for the employment of the Bini teachers that were trained at the College of Education, Ekiadolor.
He added: “I am going to direct the Commissioner for Education, from the next session to see if we have enough teachers to be deployed to a number of schools not only in the Benin Kingdom, but also to number of schools across the three senatorial districts to begin to teach the Bini language.
“We will make it a compousoury subject for our young ones.
“I believe that way we would be uniting our people for greater tomorrow.
“If we assemble anywhere and can relate in one dialect without someone being able to listen, that would remind us that we have a common ancestry.
“I want to assure you that we shall include the Bini language in our curriculum.
“The late Chief Anthony Enahoro had raised the issue that we should have a common language for every Edo person and since Bini is spoken by more than 50 per cent of the population, it is a lot easier to encourage the other areas to key in particularly when there are a number of areas in which the language is the same.”.
The Governor paid glowing tributes to the His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, for his support and encouragement in the achievements of this administration
Earlier, the President of Benin Cultural Heritage Centre, Dr. Roland Ehigiamusoe, who was represented by the Vice president, Squadron Leader Ehi Ighile, said the centre is a non profit, non partisan, social cultural organisation with a mission is to revive the glory of great Benin.
He said: “I am particularly happy that this prestigious honour of a patron is being bestowed on a great governor who we boastfully say is the best governor in Nigeria today, most dedicated proactive and transparent.
A governor who believes in the is proud of the Great Benin Empire and its achievements.
A governor who is committed to uniting his people and has great personal interest in the activities of the Benin Cultural Heritage.”
