By CHARLES IWUOHA

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) says learning of indigenous languages is essential for effective intelligence gathering for security agencies personnel across the country.

The Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr. Mohammed Yahuza, made this know on Monday in Enugu while flagging-off a two-month Nigerian Indigenous Languages Learning Programme for personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command.

Yahuza, who was represented by NICO Head in Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Nwajiagu, noted that being acquitted with indigenous languages promotes interaction, information and intelligence sharing between security personnel and members of the public.

He said that most times, the indigenous language a personnel could speak and understand act as major defence even in the face of danger to his or her life in the line of duty.

“Knowing indigenous languages equip security personnel well to mingle with everybody around him, both the natives and other personnel, as well as easily winning their trust.

“By getting close and winning the trust of the people through one’s acquisition of indigenous languages; the job of gathering useful and timely information and intelligence becomes easier, effective and less costly,” he said.

The Executive Secretary lauded the NSCDC Enugu State Command for keying in into the programme, adding that the command would gain a lot as well as promote greater unity among its personnel.

The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Mr. Everistus Obiyo, lauded NICO for bringing such a programme to teach personnel indigenous languages free-of-charge in the comfort of the command’s hall.

Obiyo said that no one can fully enumerate the benefits of indigenous languages to the individual personnel and collectively as a command since the NSCDC have the mandate to ensure security of lives and property especially critical government infrastructures.

“I have directed all my personnel to participate and learn one or two of the indigenous languages and utilise it to push the work and mandate of the NSCDC forward in the state.

“I must thank the executive secretary for giving this command this rare privilege to learn our indigenous language free-of-charge and interact better with members of the public and gain their trust and cooperation,” he said.

In a goodwill message, Chief Edward Okolo, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, noted that most great people in history and modern days speak more than a single language.

According to Okolo, most great leaders have learnt not just languages of others but their culture as well.

“Once you speak a language of an indigenous people; they easily welcome you and take you as their own and part of them. This is the magic and first benefit you get by speaking an indigenous language,” he said.

Over 200 participants drawn from the various departments and divisions of the command are currently enrolled in the programme.

The programme covers three indigenous languages, which included; Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.

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