Department of English, University of Ilorin, has outlined at least 21 sub-themes for discourse at its maiden national conference on “Dynamics of Language, Literature and Culture in the New Age.” The conference, scheduled to hold from April 23-26 at the university’s main auditorium, would also set aside an English Language and Literature clinic for teachers and students of secondary schools in the country.
The chairman, Local Organising Committee for the conference, an associate professor of English language, Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji, disclosed this when he led other members of the committee on a courtesy visit to members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Kwara state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). Adedimeji observed that “the information super highway is having a lot of influence on the language we speak,” noting that the conference would encourage scholars to “investigate what the cyber space hold for English language in Nigeria.”
He said the special English and Literature clinic which would hold on April 26, “is targeted at secondary school teachers and professionals to provide some remedies to some of the maladies that affects English language.” Adedimeji said the conference would deliberate on “latest research findings on the changes in the way our children use language.” He said former vicechancellor of the University, Prof. Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem, would be the chairman of the occasion, while the vice-chancellor, Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allha, would present the key note address.
He added that the president, Nigeria Academy of letters (NAL), Prof. Olu Obafemi, and president, English Scholars Association of Nigeria (ESAN), Prof. Sola T. Babatunde, would be the lead speakers. Responding, the chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Layi Olanrewaju, noted that the conference was timely, saying “we need to be acquitted with new trends in communication.”
