Fulfulde language, culture, slowly dying – Ganduje

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, on Saturday observed that Fulfulde language and culture in Nigeria were slowly ‘dying,’ warning that it was a question of time before they became ‘extinct’.

Ganduje made the observation in Yola during the formal inauguration of the Board of Trustees and Directors of the newly established Yola-based Pulaku Radio FM station.

“Fulfulde is becoming a dying language in Nigeria, especially among the elites; Fulanis themselves should wake up and promote their language.

“Many elites who are Fulani by the origin will tell you, sometimes with some element of pride, that their father or grandfather was Fulani but they (elites) cannot speak the language,” Ganduje lamented.

He stressed the need to reverse the trend in the interest of continuity, and to safeguard future generations from losing their cultural identity.

On the radio Pulaku, he said that the station should promote harmony, peace and stability, as well as the cultural value of the community.

In his speech, the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo, said that the cardinal objective of the station was to promote Fulfulde language and cultural values.

“Radio plays a great role in promoting social and cultural values, as well as understanding within the society.

“Pulaku Radio is coming up to bridge the gap and promote the fulfulde language and cultural values, he said.

Also speaking, Gov. Muhamadu Bindow of Adamawa said that the establishment of the radio station would help in disseminating information in the state.

Bindo, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Martins Babale, prayed that the station would strive to protect the interest of people at the grassroots politically, economically and socially.