Enhancing National Integration and Unity among Nigerian Youths through Language

Abstract

Language has been identified as the live-wire of the society and the means for ensuring continuity of purpose and existence, stability, growth, and development in the society. In a multilingual and ethnic setting such as the Nigerian nation, language is a very relevant tool in the process of achieving national identification, unity of purpose, national integration and development. It is no longer news but a norm that language is used as an effective instrument for promoting national consciousness and unity development as well as inclusion. Language through its pragmatic and declarative means has played important roles in enhancing the socio-economic and political development of our country, which has resulted in the literary and cultural development as seen in the field of arts and handicrafts. In the course of maintaining that language enhances national integration and unity amongst Nigerians, this paper looks at the concept of language, national integration and unity. It goes as far as establishing language as an agent of national integration and unity. In view of the above, the researcher discovers that English language has been and will continue to play a major role towards inculcating national consciousness and unity amongst Nigerian youths. Thus, this paper examines English as a unifying tool and its mediatory roles in Nigeria as a multilingual and multi-ethnic society. It highly recommends that government and policy makers do well by adopting English as a national language but should see how they could develop a home-made national language that will complement the role of English in our nation’s history. Youths should as a matter of concern need to learn to tolerate and co-habit with one another peacefully irrespective of their cultural backgrounds.