A pressure group, Old Akumaimo Indigenous Forum, has urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the development of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages, Aba.

The Forum voiced their concern when they paid a courtesy visit to the new Executive Director of the Institute, Professor Ogbonna Onuoha, in his office. The delegation was led by the Forum’s Chairman, Dr. Roland Otete.

Chief Otete said that the communities who donated the 209.5 – hectare expanse of land to the Federal Government to site the Institute had hoped to reap good dividends from the land donation, and pleaded with the Government to provide needed infrastructure to transform the Institute and direct the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to post students directly to it, so that it would have enough students: “ If NINLAN grows in the relevant areas, we as host communities will benefit,”  the Forum said.

Otete expressed hope that the planned upgrading of the Institute to a university would soon come to fruition , and urged the National Assembly to hasten the legislative process that will bring about its quick  realization .

The Forum congratulated Prof. Onuoha on his appointment as the new ED, and expressed their full support for his Administration: “ It is our pride that the Language Institute is sited in our place….We are solidly behind you . If you need our advice or help in any area, feel free to contact us,” they pledged.

Responding to the Forum’s presentation, the Executive Director told them that NINLAN had had problems since inception, problems its former Heads tried to solve but which  had lingered.

He explained, for instance, that paucity of funds was a serious issue, but expressed optimism that a solution was near: “ We have passed the worst stage of our problems,” he assured.

The ED pledged that his Administration would never neglect or forget the Institute’s host communities: “ We will not deceive or cheat the community neighbours.  I will not work against the natives….Whatever was not done right about the community will be righted . Have patience with us.”

With the ED to  receive the Old  Akumaimo Forum were the Registrar, Mrs. Charity Ijoma; the Bursar, Mr. Kolawole Aliu; the Institute Librarian, Prof. Cyprain Ugwu; the Director of Works, Arch. Emeka Izuwah, and the Head of Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr Chris Nwankwor.