General Overview

The ELCD Committee, inaugurated under the Ejagham Language Codification (ELC) project, has made significant strides in its mission to develop a standardized curriculum for the Ejagham language. Between August and October 2025, the Committee held three formal sittings focused on strategic planning, curriculum drafting, and content adaptation. These meetings laid the groundwork for a culturally resonant and pedagogically sound curriculum that will serve as a cornerstone for Ejagham language instruction across primary education levels.

The ELCD Committee Inaugural Meeting

This report provides EjT members, stakeholders and in particular our donors with a comprehensive update on committee activities, decisions, and progress, with particular emphasis on the draft curriculum and its implications for implementation, funding, and diaspora engagement.

Attendance and Participation

All sittings recorded full participation from the core ELCD Committee members, demonstrating commendable commitment and consistency:

• Prof. Stella Ansa (Chairperson)
• Dr. Roseline. Egbe
• Mr. Okang N. Ogar (Secretary)
• Mrs. Mbong Atu Asuaji
• Mrs. Grace Edim Itakpo

The Committee’s composition reflects a blend of academic expertise, cultural stewardship, and grassroots representation, ensuring that the curriculum development process remains inclusive and technically robust.

Strategic Direction and Committee Mandate

At the inaugural meeting on 29 August 2025, the Chairperson, Prof. Stella Ansa, formally introduced the Terms of Reference, outlining the Committee’s mandate to:

• Develop a comprehensive curriculum for Ejagham language instruction across primary levels
• Integrate cultural, linguistic, and pedagogical elements into the curriculum framework
• Ensure alignment with national education standards and regional linguistic realities

Prof. Ansa emphasised the complexity of the task and called for sustained commitment, sacrifice, and collaboration. Committee members responded with enthusiasm, recognizing the initiative’s potential to elevate Ejagham within formal education systems and empower diaspora communities seeking linguistic reconnection.

The Committee agreed to meet biweekly and adopted a phased approach to curriculum development, beginning with primary levels and expanding to secondary and adult education in subsequent phases.

Draft Curriculum Development

Presentation of Working Guide (3 October)

Dr. Roseline Egbe presented a preliminary draft curriculum covering Primary 1–6, compiled from comparative language materials and adapted for Ejagham. This document, developed in response to an earlier assignment from the Chairperson, served as the Committee’s working guide.

Key features of the draft included:

• Structured progression of language skills across grade levels
• Integration of Ejagham oral traditions, proverbs, and cultural expressions
• Suggested teaching methodologies and assessment strategies
• Sample lesson plans and thematic units aligned with national benchmarks

The Committee commended Dr. Egbe’s effort, recognizing the draft as a critical milestone and a testament to the team’s collective dedication.

Content Review and Adaptation (3 & 7 October)

The Committee undertook a rigorous page-by-page review of the draft curriculum, focusing on:

• Topic sequencing and thematic coherence
• Cultural appropriateness and linguistic accuracy
• Pedagogical structure and learner engagement
• Relevance to Ejagham-speaking communities in Nigeria and Cameroon

By the end of the 7 October sitting, the Committee had completed detailed revisions for Primary 4 and initiated work on Primary 5. Members acknowledged the intensity of the task but expressed satisfaction with the progress made.

A key decision was made to forward completed sections for typing and formatting, enabling parallel progress on documentation and content development.

Operational Decisions and Logistics

To support the Committee’s work and ensure timely delivery, the following operational decisions were adopted:

• Sitting allowances were approved to cover transportation and lunch, enhancing member participation and morale.
• Consultants of Ejagham descent in the education sector were nominated to provide technical validation:
  • Prof. Alice E. Asim
  • Dr. Patience O. Ebam
• Members were tasked with sourcing additional Ejagham materials, songs, stories, rituals, scholarly texts, to enrich the curriculum’s cultural depth.
• Sample curricula from established languages were reviewed to benchmark structure, scope, and implementation strategies.
• Financial responsibilities are on EjT, and stakeholders, with calls for targeted fundraising and institutional support.

Forward Outlook and Strategic Implications

The ELCD Committee remains committed to delivering a robust curriculum that reflects the linguistic richness and cultural depth of Ejagham. The next phase includes:

• Finalising and formatting the full draft for Primary 1–6
• Peer review and consultant validation
• Preparation for pilot implementation and teacher training
• Continued fundraising outreach
• Engagement with Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and Cameroonian education authorities for cross-border rollout.

Stakeholders are encouraged to support the following strategic priorities:

• Institutional partnerships for curriculum adoption
• Funding for documentation, printing, and teacher workshops
• Diaspora engagement for global dissemination and feedback

Gratitude to our Donors

Your generous financial support is more than a contribution; it is the force powering progress. Every hour of committee deliberation, every page meticulously reviewed, and every cultural insight thoughtfully integrated reflects the tangible impact of your belief in our mission. You are not only sustaining the work; you are powering progress. Thank you for standing with us as we build, preserve, and institutionalise Ejagham legacy.

Inference

The ELCD Committee has demonstrated exceptional resolve and professionalism in expeditious advancing the ELCD project. This update affirms the Committee’s progress and invites continued collaboration from Ejagham sons and daughters across Ejagham Nation, institutional partners, cultural custodians, and diaspora networks.

For further information, partnership inquiries, or funding support, please contact the Ejagham Tradition Centre Secretariat at ejt@ejaghamtradition.org

Ntufam Engr. Chris Anom CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST, FRINA

President, EjT