Ukwuani Learning Hub(ulh)

ULH is a Nigerian base Charity (173918 ) and UK base company limited by guarantee( 13330527). Ukwuani Language Hub (ULH) is at the forefront in the development and sustenance of the Ukwuani Language. The hub believes that language is our identity and would join hands with similar bodies to keep the language alive. Ukwuani is a language spoken in 61 broad communities: Abbi, Emu, Utagba Ụno, Utagba Ogbe (Kwale), Ogume, Onicha Ukwuani, Obikwele, Ossissa, Ashaka, Abala, Ase, Ibedeni, Okpo Ekirika, Igbuku, Aboh, Akarai, Azagba, Asaba Ase, Afor, Oworobia, Adiawai, Awa, Anyama, Umuolu, Ibrede, Iyede-Ame, Onuogbokor, Beneku, Okpai, Onyah, Onuaboh, Ige, Utchi, Umuedem, Umụgboma, Ushie, Utuoku, Inyi, Osemele Asagba, Umukwata, Ụkabi, Umutu, Obi Igbo, Obiaruku, Ezhionum, Akoku, Obilo, Eziokpor, Adonishaka, Umuaja, Oboeti, Ebedei, Umuebu, Amai , Ejeme Aniogor (Aniocha South), Owa Alidima (Ika north), Agbor Alidima (Ika South), Ndoni (Rivers), Isukwe (Rivers), Ogba (Rivers), Egbema, (Rivers). It is a branch of the Volta-Niger language family and have slight dialectal differences in the Language based on their closeness to the four ethnic groups at their borders. These are: Igbo, Urhobo, Edo and Ijaw. The influence of these Languages is manifest in slight variations in their pronunciation manifesting in different dialects namely: Onuaboh dialect (Ndosumili area), Akashiada, Utagba (kwale) and Osissa dialect. The one spoken by the majority of the people is the Utagba dialect. It is easily understood by the speaker of the other dialects and it is the dialect that is used for Ukwuani language studies. Ukwuani language is also included in the list of 27 Nigerian languages approved by the Federal Government for the purposes of “mother tongue education”. Ukwuani language has a common ancestry with the Igbo language and Edo language .