Israel Umoh
The harmonized Orthography of Anaañ language has received an approval for study in Nigerian primary and secondary schools to initially begin with the eight local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
The local government areas are Abak, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, Oruk Anam and Ukanafun.
Anaañ is a language spoken by more than two million people in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. It constitutes the second largest language spoken in Akwa Ibom after Ibibio language. It is the sixth largest language in Nigeria after Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw and Ibibio.
Already, Teachers’ Guide for the teaching of Anaañ language and the curriculum for the teaching of Anaañ language from Primary 1-3, Primary 4-6 and JSS 1-3 in both public and private primary and secondary schools are ready.
Also read: NERDC Approves Anaan Language Orthography For Schools
Mr. Uwem Nwoko, SAN, the immediate past President of Ati Annang praised Ati’s past leaders: Sir Emem Akpabio, Engr. Etido Inyang, Elder Imo Emeh and Sir Udo Kerien Akpan for pioneering the role of the Anaañ Language Orthography.
‘‘They were the ones who like in a football match committed the penalty, but I was the one who scored the winning goal,’’ he remarked.
Nwoko requested for the state government’s approval for Annañ language to be taught as a subject in primary and secondary schools, beginning from the next academic session.
The Itai Afe Annang, Obong Blaise Udofia Awakama, in his speech, lauded the efforts of the Ati Annang present and past leaders for coming out with Annang Orthography after years of struggling to do so.
Other goodwill messages came from Obong Michael Afangideh, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police; Aniefiok Nkom, Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area on behalf of the eight local government Chairmen in Annang Land; Mr. Aniekan Akpan, the State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN; Elder Udeme Otong, Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly represented by Hon. Jerry Otu of Ikot Ekpene State Constituency.
Before the presentation, Ati Annang had set up a Technical Team comprising Professor (Mrs) Imelda Udoh of the University of Uyo as the Chairperson and Dr. Gloria W. Inyang of College of Education, Afaha Nsit as the Secretary.
Members of the team are Professor Queen Obinaju, University of Uyo; Professor Ahaziah Umanah, CEO, Redemption Radio, Abak; Dr. Patrick Uko, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden; Dr. Arnold Udoka, University of Calabar; Prof. Itoro Michael, Dr. Ememobong Udoh, Dr. Precious Augustus, Mr. Sunny Udom, Mr. John Idung and Mrs Grace Ukut.
The presentation climaxed at the Annual General Meeting and swearing in of new Executive Council members of the organisation at Ati Annang Foundation International Secretariat, Cardinal Ekanem Avenue, Ikot Ekpene on March 15.
Earlier, Dr. Chima Egbujuo. the Research Officer at Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Abuja, had announced final approval among the languages to be studied nationally and internationally thanked Ati Annang for its efforts through the period.
Recall that on November 7, 2020 at Ati Annang Foundation Secretariat, Ikot Ekpene, Dr. (Mrs) Margaret Lawani, the Director, Language Development Centre of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Abuja, said the centre received application for approval of orthography for the language three years ago (then).
