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Franca Umasoye Igwe: promoting the Ekpeye language of Nigeria [1]

['Franca Umasoye Igwe']

Date: 2023-07-07

Franca Umasoye Igwe is hosting the @DigiAfricanLang Twitter account from July 6-July 12, 2023, sharing invaluable perspectives on the Ekpeye language in Nigeria. Umasoye's previous interview by Rising Voices provides a glimpse into her expertise and dedication. She self-describes herself:

I'm a Nigerian born creative writer, tech enthusiast and an advocate for indigenous languages. I am skilled in photography and digital marketing, and currently pursuing a degree in agricultural extension and rural sociology at the prestigious Rivers state university. I'm very passionate about using tech for the sustainability and revitalization of Indigenous languages. Recently I ideated a solution for language loss “project Afrilingo” which emerged as the winning project. I was able to co-create this with two techies during the WSIS hackathon for Indigenous languages. I want to be able to tackle the problems of language loss as much as I can through tech. In 2020 I founded the Speak Ekpeye Fluently Language Initiative. This is an NGO committed to revitalizing the Ekpeye language, a minoritized language spoken in Rivers State, Nigeria, which is at risk of going extinct. Through my advocacy with my team, I have been able to create a learning environment for the Ekpeye language in digital spaces (on the web and social media). I believe that every child should be given a fair opportunity to learn their mother tongue before any other language as this is essential to their identity and to preserving indigenous languages.

Follow @DigiAfricanLang for enlightening discussions and advocacy regarding the need for increased linguistic diversity online and across the continent.

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[1] Url: https://rising.globalvoices.org/blog/2023/07/07/franca-umasoye-igwe-promoting-the-ekpeye-language-of-nigeria/

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