THE Chairman/Initiator of the Uvwie Dialect Restoration Initiative (UDRI) Chief Daboner Arigbala has said that the Uvwie dialect of Urhobo language must not be allowed to die.
He said all efforts must be put in place to teach and propagate the dialect in government and private primary and secondary schools in the Uvwie Local Government Area.
Daboner spoke to journalists during the ‘train the trainers ‘ of the Uvwie dialect of Urhobo language program at Uvwie in Uvwie Local Government Area, describing the dialect as unique.
He however feared that if the dialect was not taught and propagated, it would die naturally. “So it is a course that must be done by sons and daughters who believe in Uvwie.
“We prayed that we should keep and sustain our culture alive. That is what we doing here,” he said. Daboner also explained that the program aimed to actualize the teaching of the Uvwie dialect in private and public primary and secondary schools in the area.
He disclosed that the curriculum of the Uvwie dialect of the Urhobo language has been submitted to the state government for approval and authorization for it to be taught in primary one to six and JS 1 to JS3 in Uvwie Local Government Area.
Daboner remarked that participation was very encouraging and that participants would be given certificates. He also disclosed that participants were volunteers from schools in the local government area.
The Chairman of UDRI commended the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom HRM Emmanuel Sideso; the former governor, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa, Uvwie sons and daughters, particularly members of his team for their contributions towards the success of the program since its inception over 15 years ago.
He also appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to support the UDRI program. He further hinted that the Uvwie Local Government Council would be involved at the teaching level as he reasoned that it was the responsibility of the local government council to ensure that the program was implemented in schools.
Daboner also called on non-indigenous residents in the Uvwie Local Government Area to key into the UDRI program. A very active member of UDRI, Chief Abraham Ejedegba, who spoke in the same vein, appealed to Uvwie sons and daughters in the diaspora to bail UDRI out in financing the program.
A participant in the program, Mrs Edirin Idjerhe remarked that the training was interesting and that it would enable participants to impart the teaching of the Uvwie dialect to learners.
