The matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief Mrs HID Awolowo, has advised Yoruba people all over the world to imbibe the culture of interacting with their children and wards in Yoruba language at their different homes.

She made this call during a courtesy visit to her home by the executive members of the Egbe Akomolede Ati Asa Yoruba Naijiria (Association of Teachers of Yoruba Language and Culture of Nigeria), led by its national president, Chief Diipo Gbenro, in Ikenne, on Wednesday.

The visit was part of the activities marking the annual national conference and general meeting of the body, which was held between August 5 and 9 at Christ the King Catholic College, Odolewu, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The national president said that they were in Ikenne to inform Chief Awolowo of their activities and to seek her collaboration towards achieving the aims and objectives of the association.

He stated that the contributions of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, towards the growth and development of Yorubaland and language, especially in the South-West, could not but be acknowledged.

“The theme for the conference, which is “Revival and Development of Yoruba Language,” was chosen to discuss holistically the downward trend in Yoruba language as a means of communication,” he said.

According to Chief Gbenro, there is urgent need to revitalise the usage of Yoruba language in the Yoruba native families and in the schools, especially in the South-West. The body noted that Yoruba language is fast losing its relevance and that if some positive steps were not taken to reverse the ugly trend, the language would soon become extinct.

The association used the occasion to implore Chief Awolowo to prevail on governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states to make Yoruba language compulsory in all the schools in the South-West. It, however, noted that the governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, was already in the process.

In her response, Mama Awolowo expressed delight for the visit. She said that she was a member and Grand Matron of the Egbe Akeko Ede ati Asa Yoruba, Methodist Girls’ High School, Lagos chapter (her alma mater).  

She commended the association for its vision, stating that she never knew such an association existed. She reiterated the need for parents to use Yoruba language while conversing with their children, stating that the decline in the usage of the language was primarily as a result of non-usage of the language in several homes.

She maintained that while English language remains Nigeria’s official language, parents should endeavour to teach their children how to greet and talk in Yoruba language because charity begins at home.

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