Ugochukwu Iwuchuwu
The Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Prof Mekuri Ndimele has called on writers, poets and academia’s to use literature and poetry to revive non-existent languages in Rivers state.
The Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Prof Mekuri Ndimele said this during an event to mark World Poetry Day.
World Poetry Day is celebrated every 21st March around the world with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.
The Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Prof Mekuri Ndimele, represented by the Dean Faculty of Humanities Prof. Kingdom Orji also called for the revival of reading culture among the teeming youths in the country.
He said that poetry still remains the best way to revive non-existent languages in Nigeria.
In his comment, the Dean Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Prof Daniel Ogum called on writers and poets to use the media and internet to promote Nigerian culture through poetry.
He said different opportunities abound on the internet to promote their works online.
Prof Daniel Ogum during the event called on institutions and organizations to promote the culture of poetry by hosting events that encourage poetry.
”More importantly we also have to access the opportunities that exist through the internet. You go online and you see a whole lot of market out there. People looking for your works in different categories and that way some of your works may even be pick for competitions” he said
Also speaking, Prof. Priye Iyalla-Amadi said poetry promotes peace and unity in the society.
Prof. Priye Iyalla-Amadi said poetry help the society to be more humane and civilized.
”Poetry basically is life. Poetry helps you to appreciate the finer things of life. Poetry helps you to be more humane. Poetry helps you to explore your creativity. So it’s a very important aspect of development. It’s not all about science. It’s all about acting and thinking like a human being” she said.
Prof. Priye Iyalla-Amadi also said that poetry makes individuals to be more rounded and fit into society.
Our correspondent reports that students of Best International School Igbo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area and Model Girls Secondary School, Mgbodo Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area all in Rivers State presented poetry rendition during the event.
