In a momentous development for language preservation and cultural education, the Indigenous Languages Legacy and Culture Centre (ILLEC) has received a generous land donation for its permanent site. The announcement was made official on January 22, 2025, when Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso, Dan Wadata Nupe and Executive Director of Upper Niger River Basin, formally handed over the land.
The donated plot, located near the NECO headquarters along Bida Road in Minna, is set to become the foundation for northern Nigeria’s first Indigenous Languages Institute. Dr. Kuso pledged to oversee the construction of the new ILLEC facility to completion, a promise that has been met with widespread gratitude and admiration.
ILLEC’s founder and CEO, Adamu Idris Manarakis, expressed heartfelt appreciation in a statement shared on WhatsApp: “A brave mind never makes noise. We are grateful for this monumental support from Dr. Kuso, whose generosity will help preserve and promote indigenous languages in our region.”
Celebration of Culture and Achievement
The news follows ILLEC’s 8th matriculation and 3rd convocation ceremony, held on January 19, 2025, at Kowa Schools in Minna. The event honoured the achievements of students and celebrated the Nupe language’s rich cultural heritage.
Highlights included traditional dances and songs performed by students, a matriculation oath ceremony led by Zakari Isah Fujeregi, and a keynote address by Dr. Amina Usman Kutigi, Provost of the Fati Lami Abubakar Institute for Legal and Administrative Studies (FLAILAS). Dr. Kutigi emphasised the transformative role of language education in uniting diverse communities.
Nupe and Gbagyi Languages for Studies
Dr. Amina Usman Kutigi, Provost of Fati Lami Abubakar Institute for Legal and Administrative Studies (FLAILAS), emphasised the importance of teaching Nupe and Gbagyi languages at the General Studies level. This, she believes, will enhance students’ understanding and mastery of the languages spoken in their immediate community.
Dr. Kutigi stressed that teaching in one’s mother tongue connects children to their cultural heritage and provides more exposure. She noted that individuals who speak multiple languages have a broader experience of life.
Dr. Kutigi said her passion for language was inspired by her late father, Dr. Panti, whose Islamic knowledge emphasised the importance of language and cultural education.
Graduates were recognised for their dedication, and special awards were presented to individuals who played vital roles in ILLEC’s growth. Among the notable contributors was Engr. Salihu Kantigi, who sponsored 30 people to learn the Nupe language, furthering ILLEC’s mission of language preservation.
Recognition and Growth
ILLEC’s journey began five years ago and reached a milestone in December 2024, when the institution achieved official registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). This recognition solidifies ILLEC as the first of its kind in northern Nigeria, dedicated to indigenous language preservation and education.
Chairman of ILLEC’s Board of Trustees, Dr. (Mrs.) Aishatu Gogo Ndayako, played a key role in securing this recognition. Through Manarakis, the organisation’s gratitude was also extended to Mrs. Aisha Gana of CAC Abuja for her unwavering support.
Partnerships and Future Prospects
ILLEC’s efforts have garnered national attention, with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCOM) expressing interest in partnering on language initiatives. This collaboration promises to further ILLEC’s impact on cultural preservation and education across Nigeria.
Manarakis says, “With the land donation from Dr. Kuso and continued support from stakeholders, ILLEC is poised for a brighter future, advancing its mission to safeguard and promote indigenous languages for generations to come.”
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