Table Of ContentNigerian Languages, Literatures, Culture &
Reforms
In this Series
1. Four Decades in the Study of Languages & Linguistics in Nigeria: A
Festschrift for Kay Williamson edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 872 A4-
size paper; 81 chapters)
2. In the Linguistic Paradise: A Festschrift for E. ‘Nolue Emenanjo edited by
Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 642 A4-size paper, 60 chapters)
3. Language & Culture in Nigeria: A Festschrift for Okon Essien edited by
Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 1002 A4-size paper; 96 chapters)
4. Trends in the Study of Languages & Linguistics in Nigeria: A Festschrift for
P.A. Nwachukwu edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 701 A4-size paper; 61
chapters)
5. Convergence: English and Nigerian languages – A Festschrift for Munzali
A. Jibril edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 988 A4-size paper; 73
chapters)
6. Nigerian Languages, Literatures, Culture & Reforms: A Festschrift for Ayo
Bamgbose edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 720 A4-size paper; 59
chapters)
7. Critical Issues in the Study of Linguistics, Languages & Literatures in
Nigeria: A Festschrift for Conrad Max Benedict Brann edited by Ozo-
mekuri Ndimele, I.I.L. Udoh & O. Anyanwu (pp. 589 A4-size paper; 35
papers)
8. Language Policy, Planning & Management in Nigeria: A Festschrift for
Ben O. Elugbe edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 934 A4-size paper; 73
papers)
9. Language Literature & Communication in a Dynamic World: A Festschrift
for Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 718 A4-size
paper; 62 chapters)
10. Language, Literature & Culture in a Multilingual Society: A Festschrift for
Abubakar Rasheed, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele, Mustapha Ahmad and
Hafizu Miko Yakasai (pp. 1118 A4-size paper; 77 chapters)
11. Issues in Contemporary African Linguistics: A Festschrift for Ọladele
Awobuluyi, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele, Lendzemo Constatine Yuka
and Johnson Folorunso Ilori (pp. 579 A4-size paper; 40 chapters)
12. Language Endangerment: Globalisation & the Fate of Minority Languages
in Nigeria - A Festschrift for Appolonia Uzoaku Okwudishu edited by Ozo-
mekuri Ndimele (pp. 683 A4-size paper; 51 chapters)
13. Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of African Linguistics: A
Festschrift for Ahmed H. Amfani (in prepration)
Nigerian Languages, Literatures,
Cultures & Reforms
Festschrift for Ayo Bamgbose
Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (Ed.)
Professor of Comparative Grammar
Dept. of Linguistics & Communication Studies
University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd.
(cid:2) Port Harcourt
M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd.
No. 10 Nchia Street, Delta Park
Box 237 Uniport P.O.
University of Port Harcourt,
Nigeria.
E-mail: [email protected]
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© 2016 M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd
First Published 2007
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder except
in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
ISBN: 978-978-54164-1-1
Published by
M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd.,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
In Collaboration with
The Linguistic Association of Nigeria
Dedication
This book is dedicated to Past Presidents of the Linguistic
Association of Nigeria:
Mr. Isaac Madugu
Prof. E. Nolue Emenanjo
Prof. Okon Essien
Prof. Alex Iwara
Preface
T
he Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN) celebrated her Silver Jubilee on
14 November, 2006, at the Nigerian Educational Research and
Development Council (NERDC), Abuja. At the Annual General Meeting of
LAN, it was unanimously decided that some of the good papers that were read at
the Conference to mark the Silver Jubilee of LAN be published in the Festschrift
Series to honour the FATHER OF NIGERIAN LINGUISTICS, Professor
Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose. This was a wise decision, and as a matter of fact, no
other Nigerian linguist (living or dead) would have qualified to be so honoured.
Professor Emeritus Bamgbose means a lot to us as far as the growth of Nigerian
linguistics is concerned. He was the first indigenous Professor of Linguistics in
Nigeria, and the first black African to teach linguistics in any known university
south of the Sahara. He was there from the very beginning, and with the co-
operation of the likes of the Late Professor Kay Williamson, Professor Emeritus
Bamgbose nurtured Nigerian linguistics. He is not just a foremost Nigerian
linguist, but also a most famous, respected, distinguished, and cherished African
linguist of all times, to say the least. Mention any Head of Linguistics or the most
senior professor in the Department of Linguistics in any Nigerian university, and I
can confidently tell you who was his/her teacher or teacher’s teacher – Professor
Emeritus Bamgbose of course. The likes of Professors E. Nolue Emenanjo, Ben
Elugbe, P.A. Nwachukwu, Akin. Akinlabi, Francis Igbokhare, Shirley Yul-Ifode,
Eno-Abasi Urua, etc., were his former students. All these are big names in African
linguistics.
To be candid, Nigerian linguistics is synonymous with Professor Emeritus
Bamgbose. How we wished we had more to give him just to show how we admire
and appreciate him for all he has done to raise the level of study in Nigerian
languages and linguistics both in teaching and in research. LAN wishes him well.
In 58 well-written chapters by experts in their fields, the book covers aspects of
Nigerian languages, linguistics, literatures and culture. Frankly, we have not
succeeded in putting the papers meticulously into their natural sections; hence, one
finds some overlapping in the way the papers are arranged. It is not, however,
uncommon with books of this nature.
The book is a must read for all who are interested to learn about current trends in
the study of languages, linguistics and related subject-matters in Nigeria.
This project would have failed completely without the support of a number of
individuals and organisations. We sincerely acknowledge the support from
members of the Local Organisation Committee for the Silver Jubilee and the 20th
Annual Conference of LAN. The efforts of Dr. (Mrs.) A.U. Okwudishu and Femi
Ibrahim were particularly outstanding. We also appreciate the material donations
from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja and the Executive Secretary
of NERDC, Professor Obioma Godswill, towards the hosting of the Silver Jubilee.
vii
The members of my Executive: Dr. A.H. Amfani (Vice-President), Dr. Imelda
Udoh (Secretary), Dr. Harrison Adeniyi (Treasurer) and Professor Eno-Abasi Urua
(JOLAN Editor) deserve no less appreciation for their encouragement.
Professor Ozo-mekuri Ndimele
Founding Editor &
National President, Linguistic Association of Nigeria.
Table of Contents
Dedication v
Preface vi
Section A: Language in History & Society
1. Linguistics & Social Responsibility: The Challenge for the Nigerian Linguist 1
-Ayo Bamgbose
25 Years of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria: Some Reflections
on the Achievements & Challenges Facing Nigerian & African Studies 17
-E. Nolue Emenanjo
3. Marginalization of Nigerian Languages in Nursery & Primary Schools:
Path to Indigenous Language Death in Nigeria 33
-Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche
4. Language Use in the Nigerian Educational System:
Problems and Prospects 49
-Rebecca Oladipo
5. Code-Mixing among Igbo Speakers 61
-V C Onumajuru
6. Code-Switching among Yoruba/English Bilinguals & its
Implications for Teaching & Learning 69
-Margaret T. Lawani
7. Code-Switching Patterns and their Pragmatic Functions among
Hausa Speakers 79
-Ramlatu Jibir Daura & I.A. Olaofe
8. Negotiating the Local in the Global Context: Tooling the Nigerian
Video Film for Language Empowerment and Cultural Preservation 89
-Ogaga Okuyade
9. Nigerian Languages as Instrument for Conflict Resolution & Peace
for National Development 99
-Juliana Chizobam Eze
10. Nigerian Languages and the Millennium Development Goals:
The Way Forward 107
-V.O. Babalola
11. Meaning and Content in HIV/AIDS Sensitisation Campaigns in Nigeria:
Missing Links or Misplaced Priorities? 115
-Baba Mai Bello
12. Towards the Development of Igbo Expressions for
Communicating and Disseminating Information about HIV/AIDS 131
-Emma Asonye
