The governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has given assurance on the completion of 27 Islamic colleges to improve Arabic and Islamic studies across the state and beyond.
The governor, who flagged off the 18th National Conference to commemorate the International World Arabic Day in Maiduguri, said he would continue to support the promotion and propagation of Arabic language across the country.
“Arabic is a language second to none of the languages of this world, therefore, we must ensure its promotion and propagation.
“Borno State has promised to establish 27 Arabic colleges across the state, and so far, so good, we have established about eight, and insha Allah before the expiration of my tenure, we should establish all,” he said.
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Professor Muhammad Umaru Ndagi of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Abuja, called on the participants to see Arabic language beyond the language of religion.
He said Arabic was once a language of science and technology in the world.
“Those of us here who know history can remember the ‘translation movement’. So, without the Arabic language, Europe today would know nothing about science and technology.
“So, Arabic must continue to remain the language of science and technology, and to do that, all of us here as students, scholars, intellectuals, and academics of Arabic, must bring Arabic back as a language of science and technology.
