The world, today, February 21, is celebrating the International Mother Language Day.

The celebration which was first announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999 and formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002 is to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism.

Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religious organization appreciate the need to reach people’s hearts using their mother tongue. This is especially true with regards to their message of hope for the future.

Spokesman for the religious organization in Nigeria, Mr Olusegun Eroyemi, in a statement released to newsmen said the organisation’s website, www.jw.org is the world’s most translated website with 1, 052 languages.

Eroyemi said, “In Nigeria, Jehovah’s Witnesses translate their publications into 31 Nigerian languages.

“Their official website www.jw.org is translated into 22 Nigerian languages, including Nigerian Sign Language. Publication downloads are available in nine other Nigerian languages: Berom, Como Karim, Ebira, Ejagham, Fulfulde (Nigerian), Igala, Kamwe, Tarok, Yala.”

He added that the revised New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures was released in the Igbo language on On April 4, 2020.

“This is in addition to the Yoruba, Isoko, and Efik languages.

“There are over 600,000 video and audio materials that are provided in a variety of languages on subjects like: How to Break Free From Drug Addiction, Surviving the First Year of Marriage, Maintaining Commitment in Your Marriage, Am I Ready to Date? Is This Person Right for Me? The Best Help for Those Who Grieve, Is Life Worth Living When Disaster Strikes? How God’s Care Can Benefit You. Coping with Pandemic Anxiety, and many more,” he said.

While inviting all to visit www.jw.org and browse in their mother tongue, Eroyemi, reiterated that the best way to motivate humans is to speak to them in the language that reaches the heart, their mother tongue.