From all indices, Isoko language is greatly degenerating-it is seriously endangered.
Our children are no longer interested in learning or using the language, while avenues for speaking or using it are getting more and more reduced by the day. Getting students to study Isoko language (future teachers) has not been easy either.
At the College of Education Warri, there is the threat of phasing out any department that is not viable, that is not having appreciable number of students.
The above picture is the foundation for the yearly appeal, lecturers here have been making effort to seek scholarship.
In 1991 and 1992, Chief Paul Erhiri gave scholarship to all the students and many students responded.
Major Gen. Omu (Rtd) paid their students fees one year, while High Chief Iduh has helped with N100,000 twice now. The Isoko club helped with N300,000 twice, which they have promised to pay annually . This is not enough to service all the students school fees.
As such this year the Isoko language lecturers have to pay N66,000 each (some paid more) to make up for the students scholarship fees.
We have thirteen students and we do not know how to encourage more students to come in for the next admission with this trend. Without scholarship, if we do not have new students, the Isoko Department will fold up gradually and so there will be no where to train Isoko language teachers again.
We therefore call on our patriotic Isoko sons and daughters, and other stakeholders to come to our aid before is it too late. Itsekiri`s sponsorship for their students has been consistent and encouraging. We have been having insults, mockery and disdain when we go to individuals to ask for help. Isoko patriots, show yourself now before it is too late. Your language is your identity-do not kill it.
Dr Agbada E.O & Rev Okedi J.O. (07034921444, 08022172940)
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