The Chairman of the All–Progressives Congress (APC) in Sapele Local Government Area and former Supervising Councillor for Education in Sapele Local Government Area, Hon. Francis Okpigben, has called on corporate organisations, philanthropists, community leaders and well–meaning Urhobo sons and daughters to invest in students studying the Urhobo language, describing such support as vital to safeguarding the language and preserving the cultural identity of the Urhobo people.
Okpigben made the appeal while reflecting on the recent award of a ₦4 million scholarship by the Urhobo Congress USA Inc. to undergraduate and postgraduate students of Urhobo in the Department of Languages and Linguistics at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
He described the scholarship as a commendable intervention that demonstrates the importance of deliberate investment in indigenous language education, noting that the future of the Urhobo language depends on sustained encouragement for students who have chosen to specialise in it.
The APC chairman praised the Urhobo Congress USA Inc. for establishing the scholarship in honour of one of its founding fathers, the late Chief Anthony Akpovwovwo Ukoli, saying the initiative would ease the financial burden on beneficiaries while encouraging more young people to pursue academic studies in the language.
According to Okpigben, the Urhobo language remains a defining symbol of the people’s history, identity and cultural values, warning that without conscious efforts to promote its study and development, future generations risk losing an important aspect of their heritage.
He therefore urged multinational companies operating in Urhobo land, financial institutions, private organisations, charitable foundations and public spirited individuals to emulate the gesture by creating scholarship schemes, research grants and other incentives for students and researchers dedicated to the development of the language.
Okpigben stressed that preserving the Urhobo language should not be the sole responsibility of educational institutions but a collective task involving governments, traditional institutions, corporate bodies and individuals committed to sustaining the language for future generations.
He also advised beneficiaries of the scholarship to remain focused on academic excellence, language documentation and research, while embracing modern technology to promote the Urhobo language on global digital platforms.
With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, digital learning and online communication, he said indigenous languages must adapt to emerging technologies to remain relevant and accessible to younger generations across the world.
The scholarship presentation, held at the Faculty of Arts, Delta State University, Abraka, saw undergraduate and postgraduate students receive financial grants in recognition of their commitment to the study of the Urhobo language.
University officials described the initiative as a significant contribution to the preservation, promotion and global recognition of one of Nigeria’s rich indigenous languages.
Okpigben, who is also a former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sapele Local Government Area, expressed optimism that increased support from organisations and individuals would strengthen the teaching, learning and documentation of the Urhobo language, ensuring that it continues to thrive for generations to come.
