Delta Culture and Tourism Commissioner Advocates Use of Indigenous Languages in Film Production

Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Darlington Ijeh has called on stakeholders to encourage the use of indigenous languages, in film production for sustainability.

Dr. Ijeh made the call, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park and Film Village Asaba, during the second edition of the African Indigenous Language Film Festival.

Represented by Friday Anazia, a Director in the Ministry, the Commissioner in his inaugural address noted that the use of indigenous languages in film production, would address African indigenous languages that are presently going into extinction.

His words, “We are living in a time where indigenous languages are no longer fashionable. Anytime you speak your indigenous language somebody look at you as being primitive.”

Stating that the continuous use of our indigenous languages in film production will invariably give room for easy cultural transmission, the Commissioner commended the convener of the event for the initiative.

“I can tell you that what you are doing today has generational impact in the sense that if it is sustained which I believe would be sustained, the generation to come should be able to know who they are, and be able to sing our own songs in their own language,” he assured.

Also in a keynote address, Prof. Joyce Ogwueze of Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba said “I am very excited that film makers, directors and producers are beginning to think seriously about placing our indigenous languages at the center stage. I am so glad about it. To me, it is a revolution.

“It is becoming very obvious even our mothers watch a lot of movies in indigenous languages, and I have a 15 years daughter who learned to speak Spanish by just watching Spanish movies.

“Indigenous languages are not just words but they have a lot of power, and for me, parents should realise that if you don’t catch them early, you probably miss them.

“For me, that is where we should focus part of the training and upbringing of our children. When I hear people saying that their children cannot speak indigenous language, they think it’s something that should be applauded and I feel ashamed. They should be able to groom their children to speak indigenous languages, because it carries a lot of culture.”

Convener and founder of the African indigenous language film festival, Mr. Osezua Stephen-Imobhio, who earlier said the vision was to address the decline in our collective morals and the diminishing appreciation for our indigenous languages, arts, and invaluable cultural practices.

“We want something that can preserve, protect and promote our indigenous languages, arts, culture and tourism. This one we are doing is on the platform of the film festival.

“I think as film makers, we have a lot of roles to play especially the media because on a single platform with a single film, it will be exposed to millions of people, actually raise that interest and by so doing people can learn to speak their language just by watching our films.

“The film will present the situational usages of our language so it’s just like you living in the midst of people speaking the language.

“It’s also the best form to preserve our indigenous languages because hundreds of years to come, the film will still be there because most of us are storing our films now in the clouds so generations unborn will meet it.

African Indigenous Language Film Festival will during the three days billed for the program bring together film makers, scholars, cultural advocates, and students from across Africa and beyond, fostering a vibrant dialogue on the influence of indigenous languages, arts, culture and tourism, all intertwined to create a unique and authentic identity of African hospitality.