By GBENGA ADENIYI Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has urged people in the State to prioritize speaking of Yoruba Lan...
By GBENGA ADENIYI
Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has urged people in the State to prioritize speaking of Yoruba Language via making it their best and first choice in daily communication in order to ensure it does not go into extinction.
The governor gave the advice during the celebration of year 2020 International Day of Mother Language with the theme "Indigenous Language; Matter For Development and Reconciliation" held at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Conference Hall, State Secretariat, Osogbo.
Governor Oyetola, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Adebisi Obawale stressed that the importance of Yoruba Language cannot be undermined as it is the most potent way through which Yoruba Culture will be uplifted. He further stated that, the State Government is proactive about promoting Yoruba Culture and Tourism, noting that this is what led to the Inauguration of "Karele Oodua"Festival in which Osun Citizens in the diaspora will come home every year to contribute their own quota towards the development of the State and also expressed delight that there are cultural officers in both public and private primary and Secondary Schools in the State.
Governor Oyetola therefore enjoined parents to always communicate with their children in Yoruba Language, stressing that it will also aid them to understand other languages.
While speaking, the President, Association of Yoruba Language and Culture of Nigeria, Deaconess Omowumi Faleye disclosed that Mother Language is being Celebrated globally on the 21st, February of every year.
She explained that Yoruba Language must be spoken to develop the Country and it must be seen as a weapon for reconciliation between one another in order to let peace reign.
Deaconess Omowumi also advised everyone to emulate other tribes in Nigeria that do not joke with their language such as Hausa, Igbo among others.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Association in the State, Mr Niran Obadare reiterated that Yoruba Language is gradually going into extinction because English language has taken over, adding that every Stakeholder should rise up to rescue it from total collapse.
In their separate lecture by Mrs Ajibade Kehinde and Mrs Bilikis Oyediran,they explained the importance of Yoruba Language as an instrument of expressing ones feelings, direct someone, develop the society and can be used to teach every subject in School.
The duo advised government to make Yoruba Language one of the subjects that must be passed to gain admission into University.
Highlight of the event was the cultural dance by the Students of Ife Olu Government Middle School, Osogbo.
Present at the occasion were the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Samuel Adeniyi, top Government functionaries among others.
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