Eleme Monarch Laments Erosion of Native Languages, Urged Preservation Efforts

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By Nwafor Oji Awala.


Ogale, Eleme, Rivers State - King Bebe Okpabi, Oneh-eh Nchia X and Paramount Ruler of Ogale, has expressed deep concern over the dwindling use of the Eleme language, the bedrock of Eleme culture. Speaking at his palace during a courtesy visit by the Eleme Language Movie Association on Friday, the traditional ruler called for urgent and sustained efforts to preserve the language from further decline.


King Okpabi pointed a finger at the Eleme elite, including politicians, traditional leaders, and academics, for their perceived inaction in establishing measures to safeguard the indigenous tongue. He questioned the absence of Eleme language as a subject in local schools, reminiscing about a time when it was used in Sunday school during his childhood.




He lauded the Eleme Language Movie Association for their initiative to produce films and documentaries in Eleme, emphasizing that such endeavors would not only preserve the language but also showcase it to a wider audience. The monarch encouraged the group to persevere in their mission and pledged his full support to their projects, bestowing blessings upon its members.

Earlier in the visit, Mr. Job Ollor, leader of the Eleme Language Movie Association, formally confirmed King Okpabi as the patron of the group. He appealed to the king for his continued support as the association outlined its plans to create films and documentaries entirely in the Eleme language.

Nwafor Oji Awala

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 17, 2025 at 4:13 AM

    An error on the president of Eleme Language Movie Association's name. His name is Mr. Job Ollor not Timothy Ollor. Please do your correction.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eleme Today NewspaperMay 18, 2025 at 8:23 AM

    Thank you. I'm attending to it right away.

    ReplyDelete

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