Uvwie Dialect Must Not Die – Daboner

By Ambrose Ologide

The Chairman/Initiator of Uvwie Dialect Restoration Initiative ( UDRI ), Chief Daboner Arigbala Sonny has stated that Uvwie dialect of Urhobo language must not die and that as such, all efforts must be put in place to teach and propagate the dialect in government and private primary and secondary schools in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Daboner who bears the title of ‘Atete ‘of Uvwie Kingdom spoke to journalists during the ‘train the trainers ‘ of Uvwie dialect of Urhobo language program at Uvwie Hall along Petroleum Training Institute ( PTI) Road, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area described the dialect as unique.

He however expressed fear that if the dialect was not taught and propagated, it will die naturally.

“So it is a course that must be done by Uvwie sons and daughters who believe in Uvwie.

“We pray that we should keep and sustain our culture alive That is what we are doing here,” he stated.

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Daboner also explained that the train the trainers of Uvwie dialect of Urhobo language program was aimed at actualizing its teaching in private and government primary and secondary schools in Uvwie Local Government Area in September, 2024.

He disclosed that the curriculum of the Uvwie dialect of Urhobo language has been submitted to government for approval and authorization for it to be taught in primary 1- 6 and JS 1 – JS 3 schools in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Daboner proudly remarked that participation was very encouraging and that participants will be given certificate of participation on Friday, 26th July, 2024.

He also disclosed that participants were volunteers from schools in the local government area.

The Chairman of UDRI appreciated and commended HRM Dr Emmanuel Sideso JP OON Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, scores of Uvwie sons and daughters, particularly members of his team among others for their huge contributions towards the success of the the program since its inception over 15 years ago .

He appealed to Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori should support the UDRI program.

In quest of the actualization of the program at the stage it was, Chief Daboner stated that the Uvwie General Improvement Union (UGIU) will be actively involved because according to him, UGIU has the structure to actulise it.

He further hinted that the Uvwie Local Government Council will be actively involved at the teaching level as he reasoned that it was the responsibility of the local government council to ensure that the program was fully implemented in schools in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Daboner also called on nonidigenes in Uvwie Local Government Area to key into the UDRI program.

A very active member of UDRI, Chief Abraham Ejedegba who spoke in the same vein, appealed to Uvwie sons and daughters in diaspora including friends of Uvwie people to bail UDRI out in financing the program.

A participant in the program, Mrs Edirin Idjerhe who is a teacher in Eruohwo Secondary School 11 Okoribi, Effurun remarked that the training was interesting and that it will enable participants impact the teaching of Uvwie dialect positively on learners.