Report

Report on Book Launch Event: “Ogoni Language Numerals”

Date: Friday Dec. 22, 2024

Venue: Golden Tulip Hotel (Formerly L.A Kings Hotel) 31 Kensaro Wiwa Road, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt.

Overview:

The book launch event for “Ogoni Language Numerals” by the African Indigenous Foundation for Energy & Sustainable development held at the main hall of Golden Tulip Hotel Port Harcourt. The event brought together language enthusiasts, scholars, community leaders and researchers from within and outside Ogoni extraction to celebrate the publication of this groundbreaking work on numerical systems and their cultural significance.

Highlights:

Author Introduction: The event commenced with a warm introduction of Comr. Legborsi  Saro Pyagbara, the director of African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development by the Master of Ceremony who extensively about Comrade Legborsi ‘s passion for commununity redevelopment and  research in the field of linguistics, particularly her pioneering work on numerical systems and cross-linguistic comparisons.

Keynote Address: The Keynote address was giving by Prof. Ben Nanee, providing an overview of the key themes and findings outlined in the book, “Ogoni Language Numerals” He delved into the fascinating diversity of numerical systems across different languages and cultures, highlighting the intricate relationship between language, cognition, and numerical expression and how this could save the Ogoni language from extinction.

Panel Discussion: A stimulating panel discussion followed the keynote addresses by Prof. Roselyn Konya, Sir Celestine Akpobari, Comr. Kadilo Kabari, amongst others, moderated by Sunny Zorvah programme manager for AIFES.  The panel featured esteemed experts in linguistics, anthropology, and cognitive science, who engaged in a lively exchange of ideas on topics such as numerical typology, numeral classifiers, and the influence of cultural factors on numerical expression.

Book Unveiling : Following the panel discussion, Prof. Ben Nanee and other dignitaries graciously signed copies of her book for attendees. Guests had the opportunity to interact with the author personally, posing questions and engaging in discussions about the intricacies of numerical systems in Ogoni

Networking Reception: The evening concluded with a networking reception, allowing guests to mingle and connect with fellow attendees. Refreshments were served, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and intellectual exchange.

Feedback:

The book launch event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, who commended Comr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara  for her insightful research and compelling presentation. Many expressed their appreciation for the interdisciplinary approach taken in the book, which shed light on the rich diversity of numerical systems and their cultural significance.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the book launch event for “Ogoni Language Numerals ” was a resounding success, providing a platform for scholarly discourse, knowledge sharing, and networking. AIFE’s  comprehensive exploration of numerical systems has undoubtedly contributed to a deeper understanding of language diversity and cultural variation, inspiring further research and exploration in this fascinating area of study.