The Vice Chancellor of the First Technical University, Ibadan, Professor Ayobami Salami, has stressed the importance of language development in education.
According to him, it is central to functional learning no matter the area of specialisation of a student.
Salami said this while speaking on the feat recorded by Tech-U Advanced Academy, which, on Friday, emerged Oyo State Champions of the national spelling competition tagged ‘National Spell, Battle of the Champions 2020/2021 edition.
The school established by the First Technical University is located in Ajoda, Ibadan, where the university has its satellite campus.
Based on the victory, Tech-U Advanced Academy will represent the state at the final competition holding in August in Abuja.
According to the school principal, Mrs Aina Esther Folashade, 10 pupils represented the school, with Master Famakinde David triumphing in the last stage.
Others are Olaniyi Bukunmi, Ilesanmi Darasimi, Fagbola Marvelous, Adepoju Rokeebat, Richard Oluwasohuntodara, Irewumi Okikiola, Adegoke Ayomide, Bakare Sodiq and Ogundare Praise.
The Vice Chancellor expressed happiness at the feat performed by the pupils.
He said it showed that the secondary school was already making giant strides despite the fact that it is relatively new.
The VC said, “I am delighted that we have not only emerged the Oyo State champions, but we are also going ahead to represent the state. This speaks to the quality of what is being imparted in the learners, and it perfectly mirrors what is going on at our university.
“Spelling activities are important for learners at all levels. Especially at the foundation level, they are key to language development because poor spelling is the bane of many users of the English Language. I am therefore glad that our pupils have demonstrated a solid foundation in the segment.
“Every child, youth or student needs competence in language, both spoken and written. So, educational institutions and other stakeholders should do a lot to deepen their language development. Based on our peculiar circumstance in Nigeria, we have taken English as our national language. It is the language of education, politics, business and social interaction. No school can thus afford to handle it with levity.
“But at Tech-U, the importance we attach to language is more expansive. While the teaching of the Use of English and some complementary language clinic projects are given, our undergraduates also compulsorily study French because we want them to be competitive and get a wider opportunity to interact with the world. We take it so seriously that, upon graduation, every student gets a diploma certificate in French, whether you studied Engineering, Natural and Applied Sciences or Management courses. This is apart from the normal BSc certificate and the Diploma in Entrepreneurship. So, our students graduate with three certificates.
“Of course, the First Technical University’s Centre for Languages and General Studies is about to start programmes in Certificate in Broadcasting, Certificate in English for Public Officers and Business English and Digital Marketing. We hope to positively impact society with the programmes.”
