The Guosa Educational, Scientific and Cultural Institute Inc USA, an indigenous zonal lingua-franca for peace, unity, identity, political stability, tourism, arts, culture and science have hosted their 2024 Language Day.
The event, which held at the University of Abuja on Friday, 18th October, was hosted by Prof Alex. G. Igbineweka, Guosa Language Evolutionist and
Creator.
It was jointly organised by the Guosa Educational Scientific and Cultural Institute, USA in collaboration with
the University of Abuja, the
Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, and Guosa Language Community, UniAbuja chapter.
In his welcome address, Prof Alex. G. Igbineweka said Guosa was borne out of his unending curiosity to blend West African languages as into one for the unity and development of the region. The address was read by Ambassador Lilian Uju Ezenduka.
His words “Guosa is an Indigenous zonal lingua-franca for the ECOWAS region, as the final linguistic panacea for authentic democracy, peace, unity, identity, political stability, tourism, arts, culture, and science. For me, Guosa represents a natural lifetime of work. From my early youth I created the language from my dreams, a divine message like the Lingua Ignota created by Hildegard von Bingen in the 12th century, or the Interslavic language of the European Slavic nations created by two brothers St. Cyril and St. Methodeus in the 11th century. Others are the combination teams of Presidents Julius Nyerere of Tanzania 1962–1985 and President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya 1964–1978 who both promoted Swahili language as integral to the East African region’s political and economic interests, security and liberation.
“As an inspired code-switching teenager, growing up in a multicultural and multilingual Nigeria, I answered the call of nature by creating an indigenous national language for my motherland Nigeria and then expanded it to the neighboring ECOWAS region of West Africa. I am happy to share this inborn linguistic knowledge and experience, and allow linguistic interpretation, research, documentation and spread of the Guosa language for the unity of humanity at home and abroad. However, I cannot do this alone because, all over the world, a tree has never made any forest.
“Although Guosa has largely been created based on Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, some other Nigerians nay ECOWAS languages and dialects, it has been influenced by over 200 West African languages, stemming from the Niger-Congo, Afro-Asiatic, and Nilo-Saharan language families”, he said.
In his own remarks, Head of Department of Linguistics, University of Abuja, Dr. Zuwaira Mahe said
“Guosa Language has brought us the confidence that we can still achieve one identity, live in relative trust and cohabit as one/ Indivisible people in Nigeria. Guosa is a beautiful language hence we all can hear one another as one speaks Guosa, in any part of our country Nigeria and even within the ECOWAS community. As an Hausa woman, Hausa words are majorly found in Guosa Language , like the word-Eku rana aboki mi.
“Eku rana aboki mi- which is Guosa Language and the word safe is my Hausa language meaning morning, Aboki means my friend, and mi is a yoruba word, which means (mi or my) – The word Eku is a greeting Yoruba language .
In order words, I have just said, good morning my friend in Guosa Language (A Guosa Language combination of 3 languages to form words) .
So, it’s a beautiful initiative by Prof. G. Igbineweka, and I’m glad it’s coming to our university. The students of Guosa Language are even more excited about the language!
“It’s a beautiful development in the right direction I would say. Indeed, Guosa Language is the language we need in our country today, to foster peace, development, unity and oneness.”
Responding to questions from journalists, Amb. Lilian Uju Ezenduka, who is the Matron,
Guosa Language Community, UniAbuja chapter said
“Today’s event is memorable to us here at the University of Abuja. We have been yearning for unity, peace, identity, political stability, culture and science which Guosa stands for. Guosa Language is our language, a language for Nigerians and West African communities, and that is to say, Guosa Language is a Nigerian and African zonal Lingua Franca .
It’s a language where we can have identity, speak what everyone can hear in any part of this country and across ECOWAS community.
“The students have taken the bull by the horn by this drama presentation today, Guosa Language has come to kill tribal sentiments, communal clashes as a result of language barrier, hates, disunity, nepotism political instability, disunity etc.
Guosa Language is a language of oneness. It will bring us peaceful co-existence, identity, cultural stability and a better understanding of who we are as a people.
Guosa Language will further unite us and not divide us in this country, making us see ourselves as one people where ever we are or go!
“From Sokoto to Ibadan, from Bayelsa to Abia, Edo to to Delta, kafanchan to oyo, to Ghana, to Senegal etc, Guosa Language will make us see ourselves as one indivisible people united in one language because language is togetherness and togetherness is Language.
Indeed, it’s a good development in the right direction. I’m glad Nigerian students have embraced Guosa Language and it starts from them to the outer parts of the country and beyond. And to shock you, I also speak and hear this great language of Guosa and to Prof. Alex G. Igbineweka the creator /Evolutionist of this Guosa Language, indeed you are a living Legend, thank you for the thought of creating this united language for Nigerians and for ECOWAS region. I’m equally grateful to great personalities in this great university, who made today’s event (Guosa Language day 2024)worth the while. This includes: The university of Abuja A.g Vice Chancellor Prof. Aisha Maikudi, Director Academic planning – Prof Wasiu Gabadeen,
Dean Faculty of Arts Prof. Amuche Madu, HOD Linguistics Dr. Zuwaira Mahe, Prof. Amos Dlibugnaya, Mr. Oluseye, Mr. Caleb Eluu Guosa Language Community PRO , Miss Tara Dizo the Guosa Language Community Welfare officer, Guosa Language Excos and all the wonderful students of Guosa Language Community University of Abuja, not leaving behind the NTA crew members for their relentless effort in the support of Guosa Language, the Newspaper reporters,(Guardian, Jungle Journalist Media Limited ) and the students of Faculty of Arts, especially Lingistics Dept. You all were great indeed!
“Surely, Guosa Language is a welcome development and it is expected that the Government will give Guosa Language full priority and support for what it stands for.
No doubt in no time, Guosa Language will spring forth in all the universities in Nigeria, cutting across the secondary and primary schools levels, down to that small market woman in the hinterland. That positive change we all need and yearn for in our land is” GUOSA LANGUAGE “-For peace, development and unity of this great Nation. she concluded.
Special guest of Honour at the event was Prof. Aisha Maikudi, Acting Vice Chancellor
University of Abuja, Nigeria.
The event began with a rendition of the National Anthem in Guosa Language.
Some of the highlights include the Guosa language National Anthem competition, where (1st-Miss Praise, 2nd – Miss Precious, 3rd Mr Pius Omoha and Miss Mary) prize winners emerged.
A Guosa drama presentation was also rendered by the Guosa Language students . It was a drama that promotes unity, political stability, peace, culture, arts and science.
Next year’s Guosa Language day promises to be best ever!
Some officials of the Guosa Community present include Dr. Zuwaira Mahe (HOD. Dept. of Linguistics and African Languages), Prof. Amuche Madu (Dean, Faculty of Arts, UniAbuja), Prof. Amos Dlibugunaya (Patron) and Amb Lilian Uju Ezenduka (Matron).
Guosa Language is a Nigerian and west African zonal lingua Franca. Like Swahili in the East Africa, Guosa Language is for West Africa.