Chief Banjo Akinlabi has written a staggering 84 Yoruba literary texts. And in this era that indigenous authors are not celebrated, he is really concerned. In this interview with Adeyinka Adekunle, he speaks on the challenges those who write in the indigenous languages face

and how such authors can attain global recognition in the literary circles. Excerpts:

Y ou are one of the most popular authors who write in the indigenous language, but it seems there is a decline in the rate at which people read works in the indigenous languages; how has this affected you as an author?
As an author who writes in the indigenous language, the fact that people are not reading Yoruba texts is of great concern to me. However, stakeholders in the Yoruba language are not folding their arms. Before now, languages (Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo) are part of the compulsory subjects that secondary school students must offer, but surprisingly, last year, the examination bodies declared that the languages are no longer compulsory, as they are now categorized as electives; when we heard this, and knowing that it would affect us, we quickly wrote a letter to a body known as the National Educational Research and Development Council(NERDC), that this declaration would affect indigenous authors, while it would also relegate our culture to the background, especially at a time when we should be promoting our culture. I know something is being done in that regards. However, another plus for the language is that the Oyo State House of Assembly recently agreed that it would be holding its sessions in Yoruba language every Wednesdays; the members have also called on the Commissioner for Education to deliberate on how the language will be made compulsory in schools throughout the state. I hope other Yoruba speaking states can follow this example.

What do you think can be done to revive Nigerians’ interest in reading books written in the indigenous languages; even those written in English are not being read?
First, government in the Yoruba speaking states must show genuine concern about promoting the language. After that has been done, writers in the Yoruba language can then continue to write on issues that will captivate the attention of our youths. Yoruba people must also strive as much as possible to pass the language across to the coming generation. Yoruba language is going global, and you will be surprised that foreigners are now learning the language.

Communicating in the Yoruba language is facing serious challenges, as some parents, and even schools, ensure their children speak only the English language. What do you think can be done in this regards?
Most parents are making great mistake by not allowing their children to speak in their mother tongues. When one dreams, it is usually in the mother tongue; this is also applicable when one thinks. If a student understands his mother tongue very well, he or she will be able to speak other languages very fluently. Even, Professors Soyinka and Achebe were brought up in their local languages.

Do you think those who write in the indigenous languages can gain global recognition like their counterparts who write in English?
Definitely! Yoruba is one of the most popular languages in Africa; we can find Yoruba people in Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela, etc, and as I said earlier, Yoruba is being studied in other parts of the world at the moment. There are many Americans, Europeans, Chinese, and many other nationals studying Yoruba language at the University of Ibadan; so Yoruba authors can attain global recognition if the work is great.

However, before that can be possible, we must first recognise and appreciate such indigenous authors at home. The government must do more to promote the reading of Yoruba literary texts. After this is done, such great works can be translated into foreign languages, and by so doing, the author would attain global recognition. Nothing will however happen if we don’t recognise indigenous authors at home first.

For the benefit of those who don’t really know much about your works, kindly mention some of them, and which one would you consider as the most successful?
Omoge-Onirobo is my 84th book; others are, Nnkan Asiri, Aisan ife, Tireleyin Iku, Obiri Aye, Alupale Ohun Enuifa, to mention but view. However, the Oyo State government has recently approved Omo Iya Oloti for the students in state schools.