NYSC members have commenced training in indigenous languages.

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has commenced training for National Youth Service Corps members in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on how to speak Nigerian indigenous languages.

The second edition of the programme is being carried out on 2024 Batch A, Stream 2 members, who are currently in camp.

This is aimed at ensuring that the indigenous languages do not go into extinction.

Executive Secretary/CEO of NICO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, said the programme was conceptualized due to the rapid decline in the knowledge and use of indigenous languages, especially among the youths.

Ajiboye, represented by the Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Segun Adegbaju, said: “By acquiring proficiency in these languages (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba), corps members can interact more efficiently with community residents and improve on their communication skills during community development initiatives and various interactions, thus fostering harmonious coexistence.”

The Camp Director, 2024 Batch A, Stream 2, Nwaoha Angela, who hailed the initiative, urged the institute to “do a follow up by reaching out to the corps members at their various Community Development Service (CDS) groups, so that it can be sustained.”

A beneficiary, Alhassan Tellen, said: “I’m interested in learning Igbo, Yoruba and Gbagi. Learning the Gbagi Language would make it easy for me to communicate with the indigenous people of Abuja. I commend NICO for the initiative.”