Newsletter 2016

OBOLO LANGUAGE & BIBLE TRANSLATION ORGANIZATION (OLBTO)

INTRUDUCTION

As the year is fast diminishing like a mirage, the need to deduce and focus on new tasks become evident.  Interestingly, the production of Obolo Bible and the progressive efforts in literacy activities are major break through; which have earned the Organization a place in the annals of Obolo history.  These achievements cannot be treated with levity.  The recent sordid storms in Andoni Local Government Area did not have ripple effects on the Organization. 

To our esteemed stakeholders we salute your overwhelming support.

ADMINISTRATION:

The activities of the Organization dwindled in recent times.  The various projects proposed remain stagnant because she could not raise the necessary fund.  Payment of staff salary and other administrative cost suffered set back.  It was no longer obligatory for churches and Local Government Councils to pay assessment and subvention respectively.  They have jettison the covenant assistance.  Efforts to resuscitate the trend hit a brick wall.  Today Wycliffe has refunded  N1.3m to us, the over estimated cost of printing Obolo Bible.  The money has since been earmarked to assist in the building of Obolo Bilingual School.  We have also employed a new teacher for the school.  It is marvelous.  God is the author of accountability.

LITERACY:

The educational pursuit of our generation is cardinal.  Workshop on engineering terminology in all subjects of Primary School has just been concluded.  Head Teachers of Primary Schools in Andoni Local Government Area appealed for curriculums in Obolo Language for effective teaching.  We are intensifying efforts in that regard and very soon workshops will be Organized for the newly employed teachers on methodology and pedagogy of teaching Obolo Language.  Meanwhile the suggested introduction of Adult Education Centre, now that the printing of Obolo Bible is over, is receiving serious attention.  We hope to make it public as soon as arrangement is concluded.

SALES OF BIBLE:

The epileptic Sales of Bible and other printed work of the Organization represents a temporary set back in our peoples patronage.  Our previous plan to move the Bible from one community to another is still also on.  We are aware that some Communities are yearning to have us bring Bibles to their door steps.  Unfortunately, the proposal has suffered a temporary set back.  No business with expenditure exceeding income will grow.  We implore interested buyers to please visit our head office at Agwut Obolo or branch office at Okorombokho, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area for purchases of  Bibles, Video for Jesus Film etc. while the mps audio bible is downloaded at the head office only.

SCRIPTURE USE PROMOTION:

Recent Bible training programmes organized by this department was very commendable.  Participants call for more of such training to boost their knowledge on reading and writing of Obolo.  Similar training slated for Ngo did not hold due to security threats in the Andoni LGA.  The department is not relenting.  Details of new plans will be made known.

Obolo Website has come to stay.  You can now read Obolo Bible by clicking on www.obololanguage.org. Downloading into cell phone is gathering momentum.  You can as well watch Obolo  Video on YouTube.  On Face Book, click on www.facebook/olbto to watch on line.

FINANCE:

The OLBTO is financially handicapped. Lack of commitment and subsequent withdrawals from payment of assessment and subvention by churches and Local Government Councils is a source of concern.  We have made series of appeals to resuscitate interest, to no avail.  We should try as much as possible not to walk against the purpose for which the Bible is translated.  The office of OLBTO has come to stay.  A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.  We pledge to continue with our prudent spending and assure us of judicious use of every Kobo we receive from philanthropists, and supporters, etc.

OBOLO BILINGUAL SCHOOL:

It is the explicit desire of the proponent of the school that our children and wards have a solid education foundation structured on a bilingual nation using good knowledge of English and Obolo languages. We adopted additive Bilingual Education model, the most appropriate, much more than the Early Exist Transitional model obtainable in most parts of Africa and Nigeria. The local language is used within the first 3 years of a child in school. 

The school is new here.  The critics of the School does so out of ignorance.  Speaking at one of the Parents Teachers Forum, the Executive Secretary of OLBTO, Deacon Ntedeng, Walter H.  describe them (critics) as ignorant and insensitive.  The gang up propaganda is done out of malice.  It is on record that when a child acquires basic literacy in his/her mother tongue he/she will excel in literacy in any other language.

BRIEF SOLIDARITY VISIT TO OLBTO:

The Methodist Church Nigeria, Andoni Branch who were celebrating their centenary, visited OLBTO office to felicitate with her.  Speaking while receiving members of the church, the Executive Secretary, on behalf of the Organization thanked the church, saying they did not misplace their priority by visiting the Organization.  He eulogized Dr. and Mrs. Uche Aaron, members of the Methodist, our Consultants. Their Services to God and humanity cannot be forgotten.  The secretary used the occasion to appeal to churches to be more proactive in their covenant assistance to the Organization.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Centenary Planning Committee of the church, Elder Apollos Levi reaffirmed their commitment to the Organization.  He intoned that the Methodist church always toes the Path of gospel propagation. He congratulated the OLBTO for the achievements made especially their selfless commitment which resulted in the printing and dedication of Obolo Bible in recorded firm and pledged that the Methodist church would support the project by making yearly subvention to her “The celebration was to be rounded up at Amadaka town, Eastern Obolo LGA with a thanksgiving and launching of church History and fund raising of  N100m Development fund,” he concluded.

DEATH:

Late Arch-Bishop of Niger Delta Province, The Most Rev. E. E. Nglass kicked the bucket.  He was until his demise, a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the OLBTO.  The news of his sudden death was very shocking and painful.  He has since been laid to rest at the metropolitan city of Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. Speaking at the funeral service, the presiding Bishop of Anglican Communion Uyo Diocese eulogized the late Arch-Bishop Nglas as a hero, and a man endowed with spiritual insight.  Millions of Anglican faithful’s, friends, relations, in-laws, including the incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel and other Government functionaries among others gathered to pay homage to the departed Arch Bishop.

OBOLO LANGUAGE INTERNATIONAL DAY:

Precisely, February 23^rd 2016 will remain indelible in the minds of Obolo sons and daughters.  It was a red letter day.  People from all walks of life gathered at No. 2 Harley Street, Port Harcourt, the premises of National Museum to celebrate Obolo Language International mother tongues day.  The theme for the years celebration was “Quality Education, Language of Instruction and learning outcomes”.

The Celebration featured among others, traditional dance, language competitions among Secondary schools, exhibition of arti.fact and paper presentation by Dr. Uche Aaron, a SIL INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION CONSULTATANT incharge of OLBTO. 

The special Guest of Honour, The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief (Bar.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON was ably represented by the Head of Service of Government of Rivers State, Bar. Rufus Godwin.  The Head of Service expressed strong commitment to stand together in solidarity with the OLBTO to work to preserve the Obolo.  The Head of Service observed that the OLBTO has continued to guarantee the uniqueness of Obolo language and wish her well in all its ramifications:  The Royal Fathers of the day include, the Traditional Rulers of Ngo Town, Unyeada and Ikuru Town respectively while Dr. (Mrs.) Charity Okujagu was the Mother of the day.

Presenting a key note address, the Chairman of the occasion HRH. NLA Iraron (JP) Edeh Obolo II, Okaan Ama Egwede, applauded the global efforts of UNESCO for sustaining the indigenous language and the National Museum, Port Harcourt for showcasing the Obolo language in this year’s International Mother Tongue Day

Earlier, the Director, National Museum, Port Harcourt Mr. Fadamiyo, O. expressed gratitude to God for making the day a reality.  The Curator said 21^st February, every year is set aside by UNESCO to celebrate the Mother Tongue Day.  The gesture is aimed at sustaining the indigenous language and the focus this year at National Museum, Port Harcourt is Obolo language.  He opined that they will be willing to Partner with Obolo People to preserve their patrimony.

Highlights of the occasion were the award presentation to Dr. and Mrs. Uche E. Aaron and the presentation of trophies to the three winning Schools of C. S. S. Agwut Obolo which took 1^st position while 2^nd and 3^rd positions went to C. S. S. Unyeada and Government Comprehensive Secondary School Ataba, respectively.

PRAISES:

• Thank God for the recovery of our literacy Consultant Mrs. Marianne Uche Aaron from injury sustained.
• Thank God for the successful completion of 2 academic sessions of the Obolo Bilingual Education Centre, Agwut Obolo.
• Thank God for the restoration of peace after the protracted insecurity in Obolo land.
• Thank God for the successful hosting of Obolo mother Tongue day in Port Harcourt this year.

           PRAYERS:

• Pray for the successful return of our Consultants, Dr. and Mrs. Uche Aaron from England.
• Pray for the progress and completion of our six classroom block for the Obolo Biligual School.
• Pray for Good health of all members of OLBTO, staff, and Board of Trustees.
• Pray for Churches and L. G. A’s to pay their monthly assessments/subventions to the Organization to finance projects.