Language as a Tool for Resurging and Developing Nigeria

Abstract

Since time immemorial, the Nigeria society has been experiencing one form of conflict or the other, sometimes threatening the peace and tranquility of the nation. Most conflicts and upheavals mostly have their source from political religious, economic or social factors. Relevant examples are the Boko Haram insurgence, cattle rustling, boundary disputes, communal clashes etc. All these conflicts, insurgency, disputes, clashes, upheavals or whatever name these negative names they are given have their origin from man’s ability to use language and can as well be controlled by language. It is language that enables us to identify that man is a thinking being and it is this thinking faculty that shapes our personalities as human beings. Language destroys and builds, it all depends on the way man uses it. This paper therefore looks at the different ways by which language can be used to curtail conflicts and ensure peaceful and sustainable development of Nigeria. It highlights some functions of language such as phatic, referential, affective, regulatory and other roles geared towards rebranding and national stability and development. Suggestions such as the need to avoid inflammatory statements and hate speech in various discourses, mass and proper education of citizens, emphasizing the development of our indigenous languages and proper dissemination of government policies to the grass roots to avoid communication gap and misinterpretation were offered. It is hoped that if the highlights and recommendations in this paper are taken into consideration, language, which does not require arms and ammunition as well as huge financial expenses, can solve the nagging problems of several disturbances which the nation faces.