Title: Contributions of Ahiajoku Lecture Series in Creating Awareness and Preservation of Indigenous Language in South East, Nigeria
Author(s): Julia Chinwe Oguedoihu , Adaora Joy Udo-Anyanwu
Publication Year: 2024; Volume 19, Issue 4, pages 58-70

This paper investigated the contributions of Ahiajoku lecture series in creating awareness and preservation of indigenous language in South East, Nigeria. In this contemporary world, the need for indigenous languages for lifelong learning in any society is germane. The ability to communicate clearly is a key function for all people. The study was guided by five research questions. This study adopted web-based survey research design using Google form questionnaire designed on a four-point rating scale as the instrument for data collection. The total population of this study was 320 consisting of one hundred and fifty (150) staff in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and one hundred and seventy (170) staff in the Ministry of Information and Strategy. The entire population was adopted as a sample. Out of the 320 copies of the Google form sent, 200 responses were received. Data obtained from respondents were analyzed using mean (x) and 2.50 was the midpoint. Findings of the study revealed that: Ahiajoku lecture series have contributed in creating awareness and preservation of indigenous language in South East Nigeria to a high extent; and there are so many challenges facing the contributions of Ahiajoku lecture series in creating awareness and preservation of indigenous language in South East, Nigeria which include the problem of integrating it into education system in South East, Nigeria. The study recommends that every effort should be made to make the creation of awareness and preservation of indigenous language through Ahiajoku lecture series to a very high extent and policies should be put in place to have Ahiajoku Institutes in universities in South East, Nigeria and abroad and furthermore, have the lecture series documented and deposited in libraries