On 19th November, 2016, Nupe Language began in a Classroom. The journey was like a nightmare. Manarakis intention was to get at least few people to join his four younger sisters to learn Nupe Language. To his surprised, a lot of people came to learn from him from various places. Professor Tswanya the then Vice Chancellor of IBBU Lapai was the first Professor to believe in his dream. He gave him some money to buy teaching materials. He confessed that his prophecy on Nupe Language is already failed. A young man is here to teach Nupe Language with passion. Late Professor Tswanya said in his research work that Nupe Language will join the endangered languages to sweep-off but with this development of literacy, Nupe Language is out of the endangered languages.
In 2017, precisely on 1st October, 2017, the tireless Manarakis met Dr. (Mrs) Aishatu Ndayeko. The Bida princess picked interest in Manarakis artistic work. She gives her candid advice on a daily basis & also backs it up with money. Her full support and advice brought about the start of a Nupe Learning Centre in Bida. She funded the transport fare monthly.
At the same 2017, Manarakis came up with the idea of Online Nupe Newspaper. He published just once and couldn’t continue due to his sole deficiency of money. He later reinstated the idea of Nupe Language newspaper. This time, it is a monthly publication online.
In the year 2018, precisely January, Manarakis was invited by the former CPS Alh. Mahmud Abdullahi to come and serve as a Nupe Radio Broadcaster and Presenter in Prestige FM Radio Minna. This is what he does that sent his name to local communities; I mean grassroots or villages in KinNupe despite that he is not a Journalist by profession but a Community influencer by practice. Sha, we are grateful to Prestige FM Radio Minna for availing Manarakis an opportunity to serve as a media man and show his wealth of Nupe Language experiences.
In 2019, Manarakis attended an international Conference of Indigenous Languages at Jos. His attendance was fully sponsored by Mr. Solomon Dakukum who is one of his Facebook followers. That conference at Plateau State, gave birth to establishing an Institute. The Institute was named: Indigenous Languages Learning Centre (ILLEC), Minna. He started from Basic and Proficiency programmes. He knew that he alone can not do it. At its inception those who volunteered to assist in teaching the language could not continue as they were not being paid. “You know, anything that does not come with monetary benefits attached, it takes a brave mind to participate in such a struggle.” So, his first set of instructors left a few months after he took off. But he didn’t bother much because we’ve already trained some students who had already mastered the teaching and were ready to give back.” He made some of his serious students teachers to assist him as assistant instructors. As the classroom goes on, so the idea of Teaching Online (WhatsApp Platform) sprouted in. Aisha Hussaina Idris Manarakis is one of the pioneer graduates of the first Nupe e-learning program. In short, today, ILLEC is already running Nupe Language Ordinary Diploma, Advanced Diploma and a Masterclass.
*We are not surprised anyway.*
Manarakis is a dreamer. A lover of his faith and a believer of small thing can transform to a big one. It is Manarakis dream that one day Nupe Language will graduate PhD students, by God’s Grace.
The centre introduced a free Nupe learning programme for married women who indicated interest in learning how to write and read in Nupe Language. Books written in indigenous languages were easier to understand when read than those written in English. He challenged Nigerian writers to shift focus to writing in indigenous languages to save local languages from extinction.
In the year 2020, Manarakis approached Niger State College of Education Minna seeking for the approval of Nupe Language. This time is not like other times that he suffered severely and despite his struggles, he failed.
Later in that same year, PSS Minna and UIS Bida approved the study of Nupe Language from JSS One to SS Two. That not all of Manarakis targets. He moved on to seeking for the general approval of Nupe & Gbagyi Languages into our primary schools. This is the idea the incumbent commissioner of Basic Education and NSUBEB Chairman never bought from him.
Instead of discouragement, Manarakis moved on to convince the newly appointment Provost of FLAILAS for the approval of Nupe & Gbagyi Languages, he was successful and the two community languages will commence next semester as General Studies.
‘Therefore, we are grateful to all our supporters for contributing their quarter to ensure that Nupe Language is taught in our schools at all levels.
“May we continue to succeed in the name of God Almighty, Amin!
“Once again, Congratulations to all of us and happy eight years Anniversary to ILLEC” the school Stated.
