Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand. – A verse from the national anthem used 1960-1978.

WE already have too many differences that legislating official languages for the 36 States would simply exacerbate them. Estimates of Nigerian languages put them at 521. The number of their speakers would be a wrong measurement of their importance.

Even languages with less than 500 speakers still perform the primary functions of informing, expressing, giving directives, and most importantly transmitting society’s culture from generation to generation.

About 75 per cent of Nigerians live in rural areas. Their languages are important to them. The use of English is more than enough headache for the rural populace and others who have migrated to the urban areas in search of opportunities, without literacy in English.

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, according to its website, was “established by Act 93 of 1993, with the primary responsibility of promoting positive cultural values and harnessing culture for national development.”

NICO’s latest ambition is sponsorship of a bill to create an official language for each of the 36 States, though this may not translate to 36 official languages, it would be a major distraction. Nigerians must be spared this sort of challenge.

What would an official language do for States, many with diversities that transverse religion, culture, and languages? How would the official language be chosen in States with numerous languages? Delta and Rivers are typical examples. Groups in some States are accused of dominance. Would it not heighten tension to hand such groups more powers through an official language?

An official language has special legal status in a particular jurisdiction. Would the official language be used in court, parliament, and administration? How many Nigerians can use these languages proficiently? How many are literate in them?

What does NICO intend to achieve by this bill? It may argue that it wants to promote Nigerian languages, but legislation will not achieve that, least of all one that will promote destructive rivalry among different groups in a State. NICO should pour its efforts into promotion of Nigerian languages, working with cultural associations and through awards to Nigerians who show exceptional mastery of our languages.

In New Zealand, the Maori language gained official status under the 1987 Maori Language Act though less than five percent of New Zealanders speak it. The 1840 Treaty of Waitangi (Maori: Tiriti o Waitangi) between the British Crown and various Maori chiefs  in its third article guarantees to all Maori the same rights as British subjects. It is this law that Maoris use in making cases for the protection of their rights. Street signs are both in English and Maori.

Sri Lanka’s three official languages, English, Sinhalese, and Tamilese are meant to integrate the country after its wars. Complaints about compliance still abound.

Nigerian languages, some of which are going extinct, with all the implications of the cultural annihilation of the people, will suffer more devastation if the NICO bill becomes law. Our languages should promote the sanctity of our brotherhood as the first post-independence  anthem demanded.

If  NICO’s usefulness lies in endangering Nigerian languages, and that brotherhood, then it is making a strident call for the cessation of its existence – a call that cannot be ignored.