By Ify Onyekwere
On the September 7, 2024, episode of The Development Report on People’s 105.5FM, Aro Leonard, a seasoned media development expert with speciality in social transformation and environmental issues, shared profound insights into the role of multilingual education in addressing global challenges. The show, hosted by Ify Onyekwere, was organized to commemorate International Literacy Day, with the theme Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace. Leonard stressed that at the heart of media development is the ability to communicate effectively, especially in a country as linguistically diverse as Nigeria.
He emphasized that one of the core issues contributing to Nigeria’s conflicts is poor communication, pointing that true communication only takes place when the intended message is fully understood by the recipient. “You can’t say you’ve communicated with someone unless that person understands you,” he said. Mr Leonard explained that although Nigeria’s literacy rate appears high on paper when compared to many nations, the real challenge lies in whether people truly understand the information they receive. He questioned whether literacy in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas, goes beyond the ability to read and write, to the actual comprehension of critical information that impacts daily life.
Leonard advocated for a more inclusive approach to education and communication, stressing the need for a multifaceted strategy that combines the use of English with local languages. “One of the key things in communication is the ability to use a multifaceted approach to everything. When you combine good English with local terminologies that the local person can understand, then you can say you are really training people,” he remarked. Drawing from his personal experience training broadcasters in Yobe State at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, he explained how adapting to the local context is essential. “Some of those areas aren’t what we think they are. I had to use examples and terminologies that they could relate to since I wasn’t fluent in Hausa,” he shared. His account highlighted the importance of cultural sensitivity and the value of education tailored to the realities of people in conflict zones.
Expanding on the theme of mutual understanding and peace, Leonard touched on the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of the people in achieving them. He argued that while government efforts are crucial, real progress depends on the active participation of the people. “One thing about the SDGs is it’s not just about the government; it’s about the people. The people have to own these goals and drive them forward,” he stated. He also emphasized that rural communities have untapped potential that can be unlocked through education. He pointed out that modern technology and skills can empower these communities if the information is delivered in a way that they can understand and apply. However, without localization of knowledge, these communities remain vulnerable, perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability across generations. “When they are vulnerable, they give birth to vulnerable children,” he noted, stressing that providing accessible information to these communities would reduce incidents of banditry and kidnapping.
Leonard further pointed out that a more dynamic and adaptable educational system that reflects Nigeria’s diversity, not only in terms of population but also geography, is needed. He cited Bayelsa State as an example, where access to many communities is hindered by inadequate infrastructure, particularly the absence of roads. In such areas, the traditional education system may not work, and innovative solutions are needed. “We should know that Nigeria is a large country in terms of diversity, not just population. For instance, in Bayelsa, there are many places you can’t reach by road, so they require a different approach to education that works for them,” Leonard explained. He called for a reevaluation of the educational system to decentralize it and tailor it to the specific needs of different regions across the country.
In his concluding remarks, Leonard made a strong case for addressing these structural challenges within Nigeria’s education system and communication strategies. By promoting multilingual education and localizing information to suit the cultural and linguistic realities of different communities, Nigeria could foster greater mutual understanding and peace. He reiterated that when people, particularly in marginalized communities, are empowered through education that they can truly understand, they are better equipped to contribute to national development and address the root causes of conflict and insecurity.
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