Anambra partners Wikimedia user group to promote Igbo language online

Fri, Nov 2, 2018 | By publisher


Politics

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra has been described as a man with passion for the Igbo language, who is ever ready to promote it at all times.

C Don Adinuba, commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, said this while receiving members of the ‘Igbo Wikipedia user group’ who were in his office on a courtesy visit.

The group was on a mission to seek the partnership of Anambra state in their bid to introduce Igbo language to online search tool known as ‘Wikipedia.’

Adinuba said: “the governor knows the value of Information and Communication Technology, ICT, which is why the Anambra State Broadcasting Service, ABS, has been fully upgraded to operate a digitised studio.

The commissioner said the state was the only one of its kind in the country with a ministry for Digital Entrepreneurship, adding that the state was ready to assist the group to realise their mission.

Adinuba, then, announced that the state would offer the organisation office accommodation to enable them to begin the project in Anambra State.

“This is to demonstrate the importance the Government and people of Anambra attached to revival of Igbo language and culture,’’ the commissioner said.

Tochi Friday, one of the groups’ representatives said her passion to include Igbo language into the worldwide web platform, arose from her study of some foreign languages – German, French and English.

“After my study of these languages, I said, why not add Igbo too as a person of Igbo decent, who should do it better.

“We want to describe Igbo language beyond the explanations of the non-Igbos by opening an Igbo Wikipedia and Wikimedia,” she added.

Uzoma Ozurumba, another representative was worried that the online dictionary did not have information about Igbo in spite of the rich cultural relics and sites in Igboland.

She said the group was ready to train state Information and tourism officers on how to register Igbo language and Igbo culture in the cyber space.

– Nov. 2, 2018 @ 18:35 GMT |

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