Boost for Yoruba language

[Oladipo Salami]

The Comet,    Thursday, November 11, 2004-
             NEWS

Boost for Yoruba Language at Macmillan Day
Efforts aimed at propagating and preserving Yoruba language and culture got
a boost as students and teachers joined illustrious Yoruba leaders, scholars
and other traditionalists for the first Macmillan Yoruba Day in Lagos,
[Nigeria]. The Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan venue of the maiden
programme also brimmed with celebrated Yoruba authors, writers, poets,
drummers and dramatists who were on hand to showcase Yoruba tradition,
custom and ethos.
   The theme of the historic event -  “The Youth in Yoruba Cultural Rebirth”
- was described by organisers as timely and instructive, judging by the
unfortunate perception of the foremost African language by the youths as
inferior to the imported lingua franca [i.e. English]. Enthusiastic pupils
from over 50 primary and secondary schools, decked in their traditional
attires, thronged the venue accompanied by their Yoruba teachers,
participated in the various programmes lined up by Macmillan, the giant
publishing firm, and conducted in undiluted Yoruba language.
   The joy of participation and belonging was bold on the faces of students
from Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja led by Mr Wale
Salisu and Mrs Ogunleye; Itire Nursery and Primary School, Surulere; Henley
College, Surulere and Vivian Fowler Memorial College, Ikeja. In the same
happy mood were pupils of Grand School, Isolo; Emota Nursery and Primary
School, Ketu; Aunty Ayo International School, Ikoyi; Ajayi Dahunsi Memorial
Baptist School, Mushin and Speed Ladder Private School, Alagbado.
   The kids were welcomed by the Macmillan delegation, comprising Chief Bode
Emmanuel, Chairman, Professor Babatunde Fafunwa, Mrs Francisca Emmanuel, Dr
Adesiyan Adelekan, Managing Director, and Mr Olaniyan. Prominent Yoruba
leaders eager to halt the gradual extraction of Yoruba language in schools
were on hand to solidarise with the publisher. They include Mrs Gbemi
Rosiji, retired teacher who stood for the chairman, Professor Emeritus
Adeoye Babalola, Mr Ola Vincent, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,
Chief Dotun Okunbanjo, Foucous Schools Chairman and Ambassador Segun
Olusola.
   The occasion also drew Ambassador Peter Afolabi, Professor Akinwumi
Isola, Pa Fola Akinlade, a celebrated author, Mrs Biobaku, Alhaji Ipaye and
Chief Bamiji Ojo, who was the master of ceremony. The highlights of the
programme included expositions on Yoruba music and song, drumming, mode of
greeting, folktale, and lullaby. The audience also savoured the traditional
poetry, modern poetry, tongue twister, praise poetry, Yoruba hawking and
cultural dance by some schools.  Presenters included Fafunwa, Pa Ganiyu, Pa
Agbigba, Pa Akanbi, Taiwo Olunlade, Dr Laide Sheba, Mr Toyobo, Mr Akeem, Dr
Isola, Mr Ajobiewe, Mrs Bunmi Abimbola and other cultural dancers.
   Macmillan Chief Bode Emmanuel, was happy about the large turnout,
assuring that the Literary Day would be reinvigorated next year. Her
regretted the inability of Yoruba kids to comprehend Yoruba language,
blaming the parents for the curious ommision. Fafunwa, who  spoke later,
declared that Yoruba language should not be deprived of its pride of place,
claiming that the indigenous language can only be second to English and
French – in universal acceptance. Yoruba, he noted, is now spoken in Brazil,
Argentina, Cuba and United States. Alluding to the richness of the language,
the former Education Minister drew attention to the age long proverbs and
wise sayings which he said are indelible.
   Rosiji, wife of the frontline politician, late Chief Ayo Rosiji, who
spoke  on behalf of Babalola, urged parents to emphasise the importance and
value of the language under their roof. She also charged the teachers of the
language to continue to pay active role in theprofessional associations
dedicated to the propagation of Yoruba studies.
   An excited Adelekan re-echoed Bode Emmanuel’s assurance that the annual
Literary Day would be sustained in the interest of the race. He also prayed
for the peace and progress of Yorubaland.

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE!
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/