WAEC Asked to Restore Efik Language as Obong of Calabar Raises Alarm Over Delisting

Obong of Calabar has urged WAEC to restore the Efik language to its examination curriculum, describing its removal as unacceptable and calling for renewed efforts to preserve the indigenous language

The call, contained in a statement signed by the chairman of the Obong of Calabr Executive Forum, Gershom Henshaw and made available to journalists in Calabar over the weekend, raised alarm over the delisting of Efik language from WAEC curriculum, describing the development as unacceptable and  an assault on the Efik people.

The Efik monarch  maintained that Efik language is one of the widely spoken indigenous languages in Nigeria, with a well developed orthography which was used in translating the Bible in the 19th century, as well as in news translation in the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, in the 1960s to 1980s and wondered why it should be dropped from WAEC syllabus now.

He  listed efforts to sustain the Efik language to forestall its extinction to include the institution of scholarship to students offering Efik language in WAEC and special allowances for Efik language teachers.

According to him, retired Efik language teachers are to be recalled to teach, as well as encourage the airing of Efik language programmes on radio and television, among others.

The Obong expressed displeasure at how Efik language students were given Igbo question papers in WAEC examination to write in place of Efik subject, saying such was totally unacceptable and should not be repeated.

He assured that they will make available enough number of candidates for Efik language examination to meet WAEC’s requirements, adding that the palace of the Obong of Calabar was poised to ensure that Efik language does not go into extinction.