“Make Yoruba Language Compulsory In Schools” –  Gani Adams Urges South-West Governors

By Akinwale Kasali

Gani Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland has lamented the neglect of indigenous Yoruba language in schools in the South West. He has, therefore, urged Governors and Lawmakers in the South West to prioritize the language in schools to stop it from going extinct.

The Yoruba Generalissimo said it is necessary to make Yoruba language compulsory in Schools – Primary, Secondary and in Tertiary Institutions –  in the South West so as to further promote the language.

Adams made this call during the 2023 edition of Odo Erelu Festival, at Meiran, Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State. He stressed that such an initiative would help in deepening the knowledge of traditional religion in Yoruba land.

He added that one of the best ways to sustain Yoruba culture and tradition is to teach the younger generation everything they need to know about the language, culture, and identity, adding that it is the role of the government in the southwest to promote Yoruba language.

Adams said: “Yoruba language should be a compulsory subject in our schools from the basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions.

“Our children should be taught Ifa and other traditional religion knowledge for them to know and have comprehensive knowledge about our history, our existence, and the science of our languages.

“Ifa usually enhances our spiritual knowledge and gives insights into the background of our being and existence.

“The Chinese and all the Asian countries will always teach their children the basic and core knowledge of their culture and traditions.

“Cultural festivals, like Osun Osogbo, Olokun, and Odo Erelu Festivals have remained a major platform that helps in sustaining the cultural identity of the people and one of the best way to define people is to know and understand their culture and tradition.

“As far as I am concerned, there is nothing bad if we teach basic Ifa’s traditional religion knowledge in our schools as we teach both the Christian Religion Knowledge (CRK)and Muslim Religion Knowledge (IRK) in our schools“.