Otunba Olayinka Braimoh, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the 2023 Kogi state elections, was a special guest at the International Mother Language Day programme held today at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL).
This event was organized by the Department of Linguistics and African Languages.
During his speech, Braimoh shared his insights on the theme, “Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development.”
He said that, “The socio-economic landscape of Kogi state often pushes people to leave their hometowns in search of better opportunities. This migration from rural areas to cities significantly impacts the survival of our languages, as the unique sounds and sights of our surroundings are vital for their preservation.”
He further states that, “With all due respect, I believe that the survival of our indigenous languages hinges on the prosperity of our society. But we can’t achieve this without visionary leadership. It’s essential that we choose our leaders wisely, as development isn’t just a stroke of luck; it’s the result of deliberate, coordinated efforts by forward-thinking leaders.”
He concluded his thoughts by saying, “If we have leaders who foster a sense of happiness and well-being, our indigenous languages can truly thrive, encouraging our people to remain and flourish in our state.”
At the event, Braimoh was awarded by five different groups including Bunu Students Union (FUL Chapter), National Association of Okun Students, (FUL Branch), National Youth Voice, Yagba Youths in Lokoja, and Lokoja Youths/Women group.
