Abstract
Ethnic composition and cultural diversity have antecedent challenges in the country, Nigeria, which necessitated the study on the influence of language on cultural activation towards peace and stability in Ondo metropolis in Ondo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was used. The population of the study comprised people living in Ondo metropolis in Ondo state, Nigeria. The sample size of the study was one hundred and fifty (150) respondents selected through a snowball sampling technique.
Two research questions were raised for the study. Data was generated through self-designed and structured research instruments by the researcher titled “Influence of Language on Cultural Activation towards Peace Stability in Ondo Metropolis in Ondo State, Nigeria”. It was based on a four-point Likert rating scale: Strongly Agreed (SA), Agreed (A), Disagreed (D) and Strongly Disagreed (SD) and complemented with Focus Group Discussion (FGDs). The research instrument was validated by two experts in Test and measurement, while its reliability was determined through test-retest method at two weeks intervals. 0.70 was obtained as a coefficient reliability. Based on the findings of the study, conclusions were made that language is not a major factor that could bring people of different ethnicities and cultures together; rather, speaking a common language that is understood by people of different ethnic composition could promote peaceful co-existence. Based on the conclusions, recommendations were made that people should be made to respect and have regard for the language spoken by other members of ethnic groups. The government should organize language summits vis-à-vis national development. Nigerians should be made to understand that no language is superior to others, etc.