The Role of the Indigenous Languages in Policy Planning and Implementation: A Sociolinguistic Appraisal of the National Rebranding Programme of Nigeria
The nexus between language and culture is so
intertwined and very significant that language is largely seen as a
vehicle for cultural transmission. Culture itself refers to the aggregate
belief system of a people, embellishing its corporate national image
or brand. If we conceive national rebranding as a campaign to
rekindle the patriotic flame in the consciousness of a people towards
its sociocultural imperatives and values, then, Nigerian indigenous
linguistic flame has not been ignited. Consequently, the paper
contends that the current national rebranding policy remains a myth
in the confines of the elitists' intellectual squabble. It however
recommends that the use of our indigenous languages should be
supported by adequate legislation and also propagated by Nollywood
in order to revamp and sustain the people’s interest in their local
languages. Finally, the use of the indigenous Nigerian languages
demonstrates patriotism, an important ingredient for actualizing a
genuine national rebranding.
<p>[1] R.W.Fasold, The Sociolinguistics of Society. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
[2] C.U.Agbedo, Problems of Multilingual Nations: The Nigerian
Perspective. Enugu: Fidgina Global Books, 2007.
[3] Ibid. 49.
[4] Ibid. 140
[5] U. Nworah, "Why we must re-brand Nigeria." Daily Champion. March
16, 2009, p. 11.
[6] Ibid. 11.
[7] A. Adeoya, "Rebranding Nigeria: the parable of the apple." The
Guardian. March 29, 2009, p. 27.
[8] A. Ogbodo, "The task of rebranding Nigeria." The Guardian. February
15, 2009, pp. 21 – 24.
[9] N. Nwosu, "Issues here and there: An Essay published in Marketing
Matters." Daily Sun. March 11, 2009, p. 30.
[10] Ibid. 30.
[11] Op. cit., 27
[12] Op. cit., 27
[13] Op. cit., 27
[14] E. Edukugho, "How education can re-brand Nigeria." Vanguard. April
16, 2009, p. 39.
[15] Ibid. 39.
[16] S. Amadi, "Rebranding: Between cynicism and patriotism." Daily Sun.
May 6, 2009, p 56.
[17] Op. cit., 27.
[18] Op. cit., 27.
[19] P. Ekpe, "Akunyili and Nigeria’s Image." This Day. February 18, 2009,
p. 18.
[20] Op. cit., 27.
[21] M. Odu, "The futility and waste in rebranding Nigeria" (1). Vanguard
April 22, 2009, p. 21.
[22] Op. cit., 39.
[23] O. Oyelaran, "Language, Marginalization and National Development in
Nigeria." In E. N. Emenanjo (ed.) Multilingualism, Minority Languages
and Languages Policy in Nigeria. Agbor: Central Books Limited.
[24] Op. cit., 140.
[25] N. Wa Thiong’o, Decolonising the Mind. The Politics of Languages in
African Literature. London: James Currey, 1981.
[26] C.T. Maduka, "The clouds are Thickening: Nigeria Languages and
Literatures in National Development." In Anasiudu, Nwaozuzu, and
Okebalama (eds.) Language and Literature in a Developing Country.
(Essay in Honour of Prof. Benson O. Oluikpe). Onitsha: Africana-First
Publishers Limited, 2007, pp. 91-102.
[27] V. Fromkin, R. Rodman & N. Hyams, An Introduction to Language.
Massachusetts: Thomson Wadworth.
[28] J.O.Uguru, "Scientific Study of Language for National Development." In
Anasiudu, Nwaozuzu and Okebalama (eds.) Language and Literature in
a Developing Country. (Essays in Honour of Prof. Benson O. Oluikpe).
Onitsha: Africana-First Publishers Limited, 2007, pp. 103-113.
[29] P.A. Ezikeojiaku, "Indigenous Languages for Science and Technology."
In Anasiudu, Nwaozuzu and Okebalama (eds.) Language and Literature
in a Developing Country (Essays in Honour of Prof. Benson O.
Oluikpe). Onitsha: Africana-First Publishers Limited, 2007, pp. 114-124.
[30] Op. cit., 39.
[31] Op. cit., 168.
[32] A. Bamgbose, Language and the Nation: The language Question in Sub-
Saharan Africa. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.1991.
[33] B.J. Folayan, "Rebranding Nigeria: between professionalism and
enthusiasm." Daily Champion. March 25, 2009, p. 11.</p>
<p>[1] R.W.Fasold, The Sociolinguistics of Society. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
[2] C.U.Agbedo, Problems of Multilingual Nations: The Nigerian
Perspective. Enugu: Fidgina Global Books, 2007.
[3] Ibid. 49.
[4] Ibid. 140
[5] U. Nworah, "Why we must re-brand Nigeria." Daily Champion. March
16, 2009, p. 11.
[6] Ibid. 11.
[7] A. Adeoya, "Rebranding Nigeria: the parable of the apple." The
Guardian. March 29, 2009, p. 27.
[8] A. Ogbodo, "The task of rebranding Nigeria." The Guardian. February
15, 2009, pp. 21 – 24.
[9] N. Nwosu, "Issues here and there: An Essay published in Marketing
Matters." Daily Sun. March 11, 2009, p. 30.
[10] Ibid. 30.
[11] Op. cit., 27
[12] Op. cit., 27
[13] Op. cit., 27
[14] E. Edukugho, "How education can re-brand Nigeria." Vanguard. April
16, 2009, p. 39.
[15] Ibid. 39.
[16] S. Amadi, "Rebranding: Between cynicism and patriotism." Daily Sun.
May 6, 2009, p 56.
[17] Op. cit., 27.
[18] Op. cit., 27.
[19] P. Ekpe, "Akunyili and Nigeria’s Image." This Day. February 18, 2009,
p. 18.
[20] Op. cit., 27.
[21] M. Odu, "The futility and waste in rebranding Nigeria" (1). Vanguard
April 22, 2009, p. 21.
[22] Op. cit., 39.
[23] O. Oyelaran, "Language, Marginalization and National Development in
Nigeria." In E. N. Emenanjo (ed.) Multilingualism, Minority Languages
and Languages Policy in Nigeria. Agbor: Central Books Limited.
[24] Op. cit., 140.
[25] N. Wa Thiong’o, Decolonising the Mind. The Politics of Languages in
African Literature. London: James Currey, 1981.
[26] C.T. Maduka, "The clouds are Thickening: Nigeria Languages and
Literatures in National Development." In Anasiudu, Nwaozuzu, and
Okebalama (eds.) Language and Literature in a Developing Country.
(Essay in Honour of Prof. Benson O. Oluikpe). Onitsha: Africana-First
Publishers Limited, 2007, pp. 91-102.
[27] V. Fromkin, R. Rodman & N. Hyams, An Introduction to Language.
Massachusetts: Thomson Wadworth.
[28] J.O.Uguru, "Scientific Study of Language for National Development." In
Anasiudu, Nwaozuzu and Okebalama (eds.) Language and Literature in
a Developing Country. (Essays in Honour of Prof. Benson O. Oluikpe).
Onitsha: Africana-First Publishers Limited, 2007, pp. 103-113.
[29] P.A. Ezikeojiaku, "Indigenous Languages for Science and Technology."
In Anasiudu, Nwaozuzu and Okebalama (eds.) Language and Literature
in a Developing Country (Essays in Honour of Prof. Benson O.
Oluikpe). Onitsha: Africana-First Publishers Limited, 2007, pp. 114-124.
[30] Op. cit., 39.
[31] Op. cit., 168.
[32] A. Bamgbose, Language and the Nation: The language Question in Sub-
Saharan Africa. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.1991.
[33] B.J. Folayan, "Rebranding Nigeria: between professionalism and
enthusiasm." Daily Champion. March 25, 2009, p. 11.</p>
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:53301", author = "Anayochukwu Leonard Okoli", title = "The Role of the Indigenous Languages in Policy Planning and Implementation: A Sociolinguistic Appraisal of the National Rebranding Programme of Nigeria", abstract = "The nexus between language and culture is so
intertwined and very significant that language is largely seen as a
vehicle for cultural transmission. Culture itself refers to the aggregate
belief system of a people, embellishing its corporate national image
or brand. If we conceive national rebranding as a campaign to
rekindle the patriotic flame in the consciousness of a people towards
its sociocultural imperatives and values, then, Nigerian indigenous
linguistic flame has not been ignited. Consequently, the paper
contends that the current national rebranding policy remains a myth
in the confines of the elitists' intellectual squabble. It however
recommends that the use of our indigenous languages should be
supported by adequate legislation and also propagated by Nollywood
in order to revamp and sustain the people’s interest in their local
languages. Finally, the use of the indigenous Nigerian languages
demonstrates patriotism, an important ingredient for actualizing a
genuine national rebranding.
", keywords = "Appraisal, Indigenous Languages, Policy,
Rebranding.", volume = "7", number = "9", pages = "2522-7", }
