Need

The need to develop programmes for the study and teaching of Urhobo language has been recognized by Urhobo people for a long time now. The people are aware of :

• The practical relevance of the study and teaching the Urhobo language with a view to developing language at the various linguistic levels (phonology, phonetics, morphology, syntax and semantics, etc.)
• The need to establish, record, and publish a writing system, vocabulary and grammar of Urhobo language for its teaching both as first language-providing cultural identity and development for the Urhobo linguistic group.
• The need to train teachers to teach the Urhobo language and also
• The need to focus attention on research and development of the Urhobo language, thus providing expertise on linguistic matters to needy areas such as the Health Institutions for language disorders, Ministries of Education for language teaching and engineering and the Federal government for language policies.

 

It is in view of the above needs that it is being proposed that B.A. & B.ED. Degree Programmes in Urhobo language should take off immediately to:

• train and produce professional graduates and graduate teachers in Urhobo Language for Colleges of Education, Secondary Schools and Teachers Colleges and primary schools.
• produce specialist manpower for Ministries of Education, Boards of Education, Teaching Service Commissions etc. and
• produce graduates who would be interested in further research in the language.

Implementation

• Manpower. Like the three major languages, which were developed by indigenes who were intrinsically interested in the language assisted by trained linguistics, we hope to draw the manpower from an array of indigenes who are verse in the language and those who are professionally trained in the area of linguistics.

Financing

The Urhobo indigenes resident in New York City have decided to blaze the trail in financing this project. They are waiting for the green light form the University.

Back at home, the Urhobo Progress Union Union has decided to make money available for the take-off of the programme. There are already identified Urhobo indigenes who are ready to put structure for effective commencement of the programme.