Lagos – Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos on Thursday said it was sad that some people born and bred in Yorubaland were ashamed to speak their language.
Akiolu spoke in Ikeja, at a stakeholders forum on compulsory teaching of Yoruba as an indigenous Language in all schools in Lagos State.
The forum was organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He spoke alongside some other traditional rulers in the South-West geo-political zone, pledging support to measures aimed at promoting Yoruba culture and traditions, especially among the younger generation.
“It is very sad that Yoruba Language is going into extinction because people who are born and bred in Yorubaland are ashamed to speak the language.
“Yoruba Language is our identity and heritage; our language is part of our culture and tradition and we must not let it die.
“I, however, appreciate the initiative of our lawmakers. We must ensure that our language is made compulsory for our children to speak, learn and read,” he said.
Akiolu urged Nigerians to continue to pray and support President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to make life better for all citizens.
He also prayed that God would touch the hearts of those causing panic and insecurity in the country to make them embrace peace.
The Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, also commended the organisers of the programme.
“We need to promote our language like other developed countries; therefore, we the Obas in Yorubaland will lead by example and ensure that we speak our original language at our meetings,” he said.
On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, urged Yorubas to see themselves as leaders because God had blessed them in so many ways.
Ogunwusi wondered why the Yorubas neglected the ‘Ifa’ Oracle, which, he said, is the angel of wisdom that understands everything.
“The western culture has brought so much division among us that we have ignored our language and culture and this has caused a lot of setbacks for us as a people.
“Ifa is the root of computers and telephones. The white men even named a computer ‘oracle.’.
“It shows that they appreciate our culture, which is why they troop into the country en-masse to witness our cultural festivals.
“So, we need to be proud and promote our cultural heritage and we can only achieve this when we come together to talk and remind ourselves of our past, our present and where we are going, ” he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State called on all state houses of assembly in the South-West to adopt the use of Yoruba language during their plenary sessions.
Aregbesola also urged the lawmakers to replicate the Lagos State Government’s proposed policy to make the teaching and learning of Yoruba language compulsory in schools.(NAN)
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