Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of the Governor of Anambra State, has urged Nigerians to safeguard and celebrate their indigenous languages, describing them as essential markers of cultural identity and social belonging. She made the call to mark the 2026 International Mother Language Day, emphasising the importance of valuing and speaking native languages proudly.
In a statement released for the occasion, Dr Soludo highlighted that indigenous languages are vital cultural assets that must be preserved. She warned that many of these languages are at risk of fading due to neglect and insufficient recognition.
“Mother language is a treasure that everyone should carry with pride. No one can protect it better than the person who owns it,” she said. “There is no shame in speaking your mother tongue and celebrating its beauty and uniqueness. Speak it without fear, without limitation, and without apology.”
International Mother Language Day, observed annually on 21 February, promotes linguistic and cultural diversity and encourages multilingualism across the globe. The observance was first proclaimed by UNESCO on 17 November 1999 and was later endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 56/26 in 2002.
Dr Soludo, founder of the Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo initiative, stressed that language forms the foundation of cultural continuity and community cohesion. According to her, culture is incomplete if it does not reflect the uniqueness of the language that binds a people together.
“Language is a genuine identity,” she noted. “Your mother tongue is your emblem of socio-cultural participation. Let no one tell you that you cannot speak it. Speak it. Cherish it. Be proud of it.”
She reinforced her message with an Igbo declaration: “Abụ m ezigbo onye Igbo hụrụ asụsụ ya n’anya nke ukwu”Â
“I am a true Igbo person who loves their language very much.”
