Gbenro Adesina
Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), in collaboration with the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan (UI) is organising a 3-day programme to commemorate the 90th birthday of a renowned Linguist, Professor Ayo Bamgbose.
Professor Bamgbose described as the doyen of African Linguistics, the first Nigerian and African Professor of Linguistics, the renowned scholar, teacher of teachers, and relentless advocate for the empowerment of African languages, will clock 90 on January 27, 2022.
According to a statement signed by the NAL Secretary, Professor Ayobami Kehinde, obtained on social media, the activities lined up for the celebration are in tandem with Professor Bamgbose’s academic interests and include a 1-day Capacity Building Workshop, a Mini-Conference, and a day of Tributes.
Slated for day 1, January 25, 2022, is methodology/capacity-building workshop in linguistics and the humanities.
The statement explained, “The one-day workshop is planned for early, career academics and postgraduate students. It is intended to aid the development of critical, strategic competencies in methodology, in linguistics specifically, and the humanities in general”.
The areas expected to be addressed are: Traditional Methodology in Linguistics by Professor Gideon Omachonu, Nassarawa State University, Keffi, Contemporary Methodology in Linguistics by Professor Eno-Abasi Urua, University of Uyo, Uyo and General Methodology in the Humanities by Professor Jacob Olupona, Harvard University, Massachusetts.
The activities lined up for day 2, January 26, 2022 include a mini conference themed, “Language, the Nation State, and the African Renaissance”. The keynote address speaker is Professor Solomon Oyetade, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
The sub-themes for the conference are: language and development in Africa, functions of African languages in development, the future of indigenous languages in Africa, the democratization of indigenous languages in Africa, language policy, planning and management in Africa, globalization and African languages and language and governance in Africa.
The programme will be rounded off on January 27, 2022, with a tribute and presentations.
