By Mustapha Usman, Kano
The emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll, has urged the federal government to introduce teaching of science, technology and social sciences in Arabic and French and indigenous languages.
Mr Sanusi made the call at the launch of a book on pregnancy and childbirth, titled “Yanaye-yanayen ciki da haihuwa a likitance”, published in Hausa language by Hadiza Galadanci and Yakubu Azare in Kano on Sunday.
He said the introduction of the languages into curriculum would ease the difficulty faced by students in learning in English language, adding that the feat would also revive the quality of education in Nigeria.
According to Mr Sanusi, Nigeria still held the Neo-colonialist mentality that education would only be described as authentic and valuable if imparted in English language, noting that in many developed countries, education was imparted in their indigenous languages.
He cautioned that failure to teach in vernacular would bring backwardness and deterioration of education in the country, noting that teaching in such languages would be good for the country and Africa as a whole.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria however said the book would go a long way in decimating the prevalence of maternal mortality in northern region.
“The contents of this book would help in reducing the rate of maternal and child mortality. The theme of this book, pregnancy and childbirth, are among the parameters of measuring development,” he said.
“In Nigeria, especially the northern part of the country, the rate of maternal mortality is alarming. Necessary measures must be put in place in a bid to contain the situation. This book will help in educating our women on pregnancy and childbirth. It is indeed a good project worth commendation.”
In his remarks, the deputy governor of Kano State, Hafizu Abubakar, pledged to distribute copies of the book to all the women centers across the state.
He also pledged to sponsor reading of the book at a popular radio program titled “rai dangin goro”.
Mr Abubakar said he would buy as many copies to his family and other women, saying “I will pay the money from my three months salary”.
While commending the authors of the book, Mr Abubakar also said the state government would ensure that every health worker had got a copy of the book.
“I also called on the National Curriculum Centre to approve introduction of teaching in indigenous languages,” he also advised.
In her remark, Ms Galadanci said the book was aimed at enlightening women on how to handle situations in pregnancy and childbirth.
She said the book would educate women and bring a healthy society as it addresses complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
