Presiding Apostle of the Macedonia Call Global Assembly, Dr. Osaren Emokpae, has described the recently released book, “ABIDI EDO: An Easy Way to Speak, Write and Read Edo Language”, as having the potential to preserve the language.
The eminent clergyman said the book was a “bold and historic step” in preserving the Edo language, which had been listed among Nigerian languages that may go extinct in the next 10 to 50 years if nothing serious is done.
In a post-presentation comment on the book yesterday, Emokpae emphasised the urgency of such cultural efforts, citing research which indicated that “over 29 minor languages in Nigeria have already gone extinct while 37 others are on the brink of extinction.”
According to Dr. Emokpae, the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) estimates that “37 Nigerian languages are on their way to extinction in the next 10 to 50 years, and the Edo language is one of them.
This should be troubling to Nigeria, particularly the people of Edo heritage.”
The book, written by the cleric’s wife, Rev. Imose Osar-Emokpae, was unveiled on Sunday at the headquarters of Macedonia Call in Maryland, Anthony, Lagos.
In a press statement yesterday on the book, Dr. Emokpae applauded his wife and expressed pride in her dedication to the project.
He said her commitment went beyond authorship to a genuine passion for preserving cultural identity. While stressing the importance of “ABIDI EDO”, Emokpae asserted that when languages are lost, “history, values, culture and more importantly, thousands of years of knowledge and wisdom embedded in the culture of the people who once spoke them” are equally lost.
He said, “I commend, Imose, my wife, for this outstanding contribution to knowledge. I am delighted that my investment in her to attend four of the world’s most exceptional universities (Lagos, Benin, Cranfield and Oxford) was not wasted. She has been working with several people of Edo ancestry and a professor of Linguistics at the University of Lagos on this matter. She finally decided to take the bull by the horns by producing a book that we have unveiled, despite her serious health challenges over the last year.
“The most important point about the book is how it has simplified a language that seems complex to those who cannot read or speak it. It provides an invaluable tool for teaching our children the language, as most Edo people have ‘lost’ their children to other languages. Since language is the voice of any culture, losing the Edo language is like losing the voice of the culture of the people, which should be troubling to Edo elders,” he said.
In her speech at the event, Osar-Emokpae (author) said her inspiration sprang from a deep desire to see the Edo language flourish again and the beautiful heritage preserved for the younger generation.
She envisions the book as a delight for its readers, a learning guide, and a spark for family and community bonds.
The book allows parents to tell bedtime stories in Edo; grandparents to share proverbs and idioms in their purest form, and friends the platform to greet one another in the language of their roots.
