Dr. Onu sir, you seem to have a single-minded opinion that there has to be "Nigerian content' in things that we call ours, including science and technology education. I, along with other members of the ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN YORUBA LANGUAGE (AESTYL) -facebook/aestyl.com - congratulate you for this idea.
It is also our hope that soon enough, other linguistic groups within our great country will, if some have not already started, soon begin to translate scientific ideas to the language that our children can begin to assimilate without the circuitous way of having to learn a strange language first, and as early as they are able to learn.
Sir, it is not like the idea of making local content available in things we call Nigerian, including education is a new one. It is just that our academic institutions seem not to see things from the point of view that is obviously logical. Our penchant to follow the lead of the 'developed' world is becoming ingrained in our DNA. And that is why our universities and colleges of technology do not play, or even care to play, any meaningful role in the technological innovations of the world.
Sir, do not be dismayed in this pursuit. Somehow, you will begin to make sense to some people who will discover that we cannot lead from behind. We cannot use another person's tools better than he can and we cannot teach our own children better in a language that is not our own. After all, water is the best environment for a fish. Our language is the best tool for our own learning.
I say do not be dismayed because the people who will argue most vociferously against the use of our languages to teach our own children are in our universities and colleges of education. 'How can we be accepted as equals with English speaking colleagues, if we speak Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa etc?' they will argue. 'Who is going to translate the voluminous body of scientific and technological knowledge to the local languages?' they will surmise. 'And, why not just let us continue to play second fiddle as we are doing presently?' they will reason. And the most ridiculous argument will be thrown at you, 'African languages are not scientific.'
Again Sir, I say Congratulations, and May your tribe increase.
FAKINLEDE
CEO - AESTYL
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