The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has lauded the management of the Lagos State University for its initiative at sustaining Yoruba language in the school’s curriculum, urging other tertiary institutions in Yorubaland to take a cue from such new initiative.
Iba Adams made the disclosure at the 2024 edition of Ajagunmale festival held in Lekki area of Lagos State on Tuesday.
He also reiterated the need to make Yoruba language compulsory for admission into states’ universities, adding that the language, with its rich contents, articulation and delivery, remained a potent tool for liberation.
He said: “I applaud the management of the Lagos State University for taking a bold step towards sustaining Yoruba’s rich language.
“The management of the school recently announced the inclusion of Yoruba language as a compulsory course for all its students.
“The new course added to the school’s curriculum from the 2023/2024 academic session is titled: GNS 104 (Yoruba Language Studies).
“With the new development, it is interesting to note that Yoruba language is now compulsory for all LASU students, irrespective of the discipline.
“LASU students must study and pass Yoruba language as a subject for them to be eligible for graduation.
“The management brings into focus a new initiative that would sustain Yoruba language in the State.
“On this note, I urge all the states’ universities in the South West to take a cue from LASU’s initiative at sustaining Yoruba language in their school’s curriculum.”
Iba Adams urged Yoruba Obas to preserve Yoruba history, documents and artefacts by building mini-museums in their palaces, which, according to him, has been the pride of the Yoruba race.
He said: “Each of the palaces in Yorubaland must have a mini-museum showing the history of past traditional rulers, their pictures, and everything that has to do with their memories.”
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The Onileeki of Lekki Kingdom, who is also the royal father and host, Oba Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun, expressed delight at the role played by the Oodua People’s Congress under the leadership of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland.
The monarch admitted that Lekki has been benefitting immensely from both the physical and the spiritual advantage of celebrating Ajagunmale festival.
Oba Ogungbekun said: “We are the greatest beneficiaries of this festival.
“I thank Iba Gani Adams for bringing this festival to my domain and it is my hope that the town will continue to support the OPC in promoting the cultural identity of the Yoruba race.
“By this time next year, God-willing, the palace will support the OPC in ensuring a successful festival.”
Apart from the royal host, other monarchs that were present at the event included the Oba of Lepia Kingdom, Oba Akibu Ismaila; Oniladaba of Ladaba Kingdom, Oba Nureni Ebudola Odedina Alugbin; Onimedu of Orimedu Kingdom, Oba Toheeb Oyedele; Alagbegishe of Agbegishe Kingdom, Oba Joseph Ikudaisi; Onirokun of Irokun Kingdom, Oba Buari-Ola Balogun; and Arole Oguntimehin, Oba Lukman Arowolo Gbadewolu of Araromi.
Others were the Aareonakakanfo-Chiefs-in-Council, members of the OPC National Executive Council National Coordinating Council and all members of the OPC in Lekki Local Council Development Area under the leadership of Chief Isiaka Balogun, also known as Akinrogun.
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