From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, has revealed that the state government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, is set to domesticate and implement cultural policies and programs at the grassroots level.
“One of our starting points is the cultural festival, which we plan to entrust exclusively to our royal fathers, as they are the rightful custodians of our traditions and heritage,” he stated. “This way, we can ensure that all our cultural efforts are well-coordinated and impactful.”
Doeyok spoke on Wednesday at the Plateau State Autochthonous Language Conference in Jos, organized by the Nigeria Indigenous Language Council, Plateau State Chapter. The event had the theme: Mother Tongue Education: A Panacea for Better Academic Comprehension.
According to the Commissioner, multilingual education has the potential to transform learning and comprehension, especially at the foundational level.
“This initiative aligns with global best practices, and we must all commit to ensuring its sustainability,” he said. “Research has shown that students learn best in environments where they feel comfortable and engaged. When education is delivered in a language familiar to them, students grasp concepts more easily, enhancing critical thinking and helping them express ideas more effectively.”
He emphasized that modern approaches to multilingual education not only preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage but also unlock children’s academic potential.
“Students taught in their indigenous languages consistently demonstrate improved academic performance and greater self-confidence, knowing that their mother tongue is accepted and even celebrated—even in this age of globalization, multiculturalism, and technological advancement,” he added.
“There is no doubt that modern multilingual education fosters a more inclusive, effective, and enabling learning environment. It also lays the foundation for creating community-based policies that are easier to understand and implement.”
Doeyok called on Plateau residents to mobilize their communities—especially those yet to embrace mother tongue education—so as to shape a brighter future for coming generations.
He also reminded the royal fathers of their unique role as cultural custodians: “It goes without saying that you are the custodians of our culture. With that comes great responsibility. We are living in a time when our values are being eroded, and this is closely tied to the decline in the use of our indigenous languages.”
He further noted that many parents, particularly those living in urban areas, struggle to teach their children their mother tongue—a trend that contributes to the weakening of cultural identity.
“With the growing wave of globalization and migration, we are gradually losing control over our native languages. However, platforms such as this provide a unique opportunity to reflect and act,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Prof. Andrew Haruna emphasized the need to embed Mother Tongue-Based Education (MTBE) into state education policies and budgets to ensure its sustainability and lasting impact.
He called on the state to expand the use of indigenous languages across various subjects and education levels.
“The government should establish language research centers, promote local publishing and digital content creation, and closely monitor implementation with feedback mechanisms,” Prof. Haruna said.
He further recommended that mother tongue education be extended beyond the primary level into junior and senior secondary schools, vocational institutions, and even tertiary education.