A university lecturer, Prof. Hamzah Abdulraheem, has called for the inclusion of Arabic Language, at all levels of education, in the National Education Policy to further promote its study.
Abdulraheem, a Professor of Arabic Language, made the call on Thursday, while presenting the fourth inaugural lecture of the Kwara State University, Malete.
In his lecture entitled: “Nigerian Literature in Arabic: Concept, Content and Contributions to National Development” he said that Arabic Language has been relegated at all levels of education system.
He said that the teaching and learning of Arabic and Literature could not be underestimated as some Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani and Nupe words were derived from Arabic Language.
Abdulraheem also called on the government at all levels to pay greater attention to the study of the language and Literature, as applicable to English and French Languages in the nation’s institutions.
This, he said, would enable Nigeria to gain its rightful position in the comity of Nations.
He said Senegal, Niger, Chad, Sudan and other African countries were given international recognition due to the premium they placed on Arabic Language and Literature.
Abdulraheem called for the establishment of Translation Bureau to be saddled with the responsibility of translating information bearing Literatures to both Local and Foreign Languages for indept understanding of their contents.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, of the university, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, expressed worry over non-enrollment of more Arabic students in the institution.
Na’Allah said that only one or two students have been graduating from the Department of Arabic in the university.
He appealed to the Ilorin Emirate Community to rise to the challenge of increasing the enrolment of Arabic students in the institution by encouraging products of Arabic Schools to further their education to the university level.