Professor Alex Igbineweka was born, raised, and educated in Nigeria until 1996 when he migrated to the United States of America in 1996 for further studies into linguistics research and documentation. From his tender age he recognized the importance for an indigenous universal zonal lingua-franca for his homeland and the surrounding West African (ECOWAS) member nations and began my lifelong vision by the evolution of what is now known as the Guosa language. There are currently over 500 indigenous languages and dialects being spoken in Nigeria; and about twice this number in other West African countries. Many of these languages are fast becoming extinct due to so many militating factors against West African indigenous languages and dialects. It was over 37 years ago that he completed and published the first Dictionary of the Guosa language titled: The Dictionary of Guosa Language Vocabularies. Professor Igbineweka asserts that:
It is my inspiration that the adoption of the Guosa language will be embraced by the multi-ethnic and cultural fabrics known as Nigeria and other West African nations nay Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Indigenous Zonal Lingua-franca for Peace, Unity, Identity, Political Stability, Tourism, Arts, Culture and Science; bridging linguistic and socio-cultural barriers among the West African zonal countries, the United States of America, Europe and the rest of the world. To make the ECOWAS one – is a task that must be done by the West Africans, for the West Africans and for the West Africans, not any unidentified flying objects – ufo. This is our nature’s calling, our primary responsibility as a people and we must not allow foreign languages and cultures to rob us of our identities, tongues, peace and unity or we are lost!
Great report! Thank you, my Edo Language Day Committee,