THE IGBO LANGUAGE: A TOOL FOR POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND NATION BUILDING

Abstract

The Igbo language is the indigenous language that is spoken by the Igbo race. This language in the recent times seems to be endangered due to lack of interest by the indigenes to use it for communication and business. It is very clear, without doubts, that the foreign languages (more especially English) and their policy implementations seem to subsume the indigenous language and so weakens the Igbo language in policy implementation and nation building. Languages are used for interactions, policy making and policy implementation, which are important ingredients in nation building. If the indigenous languages, more especially Igbo,are neglected and allowed to go into extinction in Nigeria, the native speaker will be forced to use English (a foreign language) in policy making and implementation. The objective of this study therefore, is to emphasize the effective use of our indigenous language (Igbo) among the native speakers to such extent that it can be used as an instrument in the making and implementation of policies and thus
help in nation building. This objective is achieved through the review of some related literature and oral interviews.