Aba (Nigeria): The National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Nigeria, says it has signed an agreement with a Chinese company to develop keyboards incorporating the Nigerian languages’ orthography for easier language development.
The Executive Director (ED) of NINLAN, Prof. Ogbonna Onuoha, disclosed this at the first Matriculation Ceremony, welcoming degree students into the institution at its Obikabia-Ovom campus near Aba on Friday.
“We are partnering with a Chinese Technology Firm to develop specialised computer keyboards with indigenous language characters, to support reading, writing, and digital content creation in some Nigerian languages.
“The Institute is also pioneering Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text applications powered by natural language processing algorithms to facilitate modern teaching, learning and research in Nigerian Languages.
“We have equally designed the NINLAN Nigerian Languages Online (NNLO)
Programme, which, when launched, will deliver certificate and diploma programmes virtually to all interested persons.” He said.
Onuoha said the programme would serve people at home and abroad, including foreigners seeking to acquire proficiency in Nigerian languages for business, career, diplomatic, or cultural purposes.
He said the event, which was the 7th Matriculation Ceremony of NINLAN, admitting approximately 433 students, was historic because it incorporated the pioneer degree students of the language Institution.
Onuoha stated that the institution was currently affiliated with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, to position it to take its rightful place among Nigeria’s degree-awarding institutions.
He urged the students to recognise that the opportunity comes with enormous
expectations and responsibilities; hence, their watchword must be diligence, discipline, and commitment to scholarly ideals.
Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with which NINLAN is academically affiliated, welcomed the students, wishing them a successful academic experience.
She stated that NINLAN, established in 1993, played a unique role in Nigeria’s educational system, being responsible for coordinating studies, research, teaching, and documentation of Nigerian languages.
Arinze-Umeobi warned the students to desist from truancy, cultism, examination malpractice, and credential forgery, stressing that culprits would be punished, including the possibility of having their degrees withdrawn.
The UNIZIK V-C was represented at the event by Prof. George Onwudiwe of the Department of Igbo, African and Communication Studies.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Chijioke Okwelle, congratulated the institution and its students on their new strides.
He said that the matriculating students were pathfinders and carried the honour, responsibility, and burden of being the first-degree students.
He promised that the NCCE will continue to support NINLAN, prayed that its new era will be bright, and urged all stakeholders to support its growth.
Dr Sunday Ezeme, the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Ofeme, Ohuhu, Abia, represented Okwelle.
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, represented by the JAMB Coordinator for Abia, Mrs Juliet Aniekwe, congratulated the students and charged them to maintain good conduct and respect.
Favour Godwin, a matriculating student in the English and Igbo Education faculty, said she was glad to be in NINLAN because the environment was impactful and conducive to learning.
She counselled other students wishing to study at a university to join NINLAN without wasting time.
