The Lagos State Government has called on parents to take active steps to preserve Yoruba heritage through everyday communication with their children.
This charge was made by Mr. Olanrewaju Odesanya, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission.
The announcement came during the first-ever Yoruba Week celebration held on Wednesday in Ikeja.
The Lagos State Government had previously declared the last week of September each year as “Yoruba Week” to honour the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
This week-long event aims to showcase the traditions, music, dance, art, and delicious foods that define Yoruba culture.
“Our heritage and history must not go in vain,” Odesanya stated.
He emphasized the need to raise awareness about the importance of the Yoruba language and culture both locally and globally.
Odesanya highlighted a pressing concern: the Yoruba language is at risk of extinction.
He urged parents to make it a priority to communicate in Yoruba with their children.
“Parents should ensure that their children speak Yoruba at home,” he said, stressing that language is an integral part of culture.
The Special Adviser pointed out that the Lagos State House of Assembly now conducts its plenary sessions in Yoruba on Thursdays to further promote the language.
Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, echoed these sentiments during the event.
He noted that the Yoruba Week is focused on celebrating culture, heritage, and language.
“How do we preserve our language?” he asked. “It is predicted that Yoruba will go extinct by 2050.”
Alli-Balogun emphasized that Yoruba is not just a Nigerian language; it is spoken in several countries, including Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Jamaica, Cuba, and Brazil.
“This cultural connection shows how significant our heritage is, even outside Nigeria,” he added.
Alli-Balogun mentioned that the Lagos State Government has enacted laws requiring the teaching of Yoruba in schools.
He encouraged school principals and educators to implement this mandate.
According to him, studies by UNICEF indicate that students learn better when taught in their native language, particularly between the ages of one and nine.
“Children can learn faster when they are taught in their indigenous language,” he stated.
Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, a former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, praised the establishment of Yoruba Week.
During her tenure, she advocated for Yoruba to be spoken in plenary sessions on Thursdays, a practice that has encouraged members to improve their fluency in the language.
“The younger generation must be proud of their culture,” Tejuosho said.
She stressed that teaching children to embrace their heritage begins at home.
“If we speak Yoruba to our children, they will grow up valuing their culture,” she added.
Parents play a crucial role in preserving Yoruba heritage, as emphasized by various speakers at the event.
Encouraging children to speak Yoruba not only helps keep the language alive but also instills a sense of pride in their identity.
“It is our duty to educate the younger generation about our traditions and values,” said Tejuosho.
She believes that instilling these values at home will lead to a stronger connection to Yoruba culture in the future.
