Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has urged the state governors and state Houses Assembly in the South West to make Yoruba Language compulsory subject in basic, secondary and tertiary institutions in the area. Adams made the call during the 2023 edition of Odo Erelu Festival at Meiran, Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State. He said 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 South West to promote Yoruba language.
“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 our science.
“Ifa enhances our spiritual knowledge and gives insights into our background, our being and existence.
“The Chinese and the Asian countries will always teach their children the basic and core knowledge of their culture and tradition.
“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.
“There is nothing bad if we teach basic Ifa knowledge in our schools as we teach the Christian Religion Knowledge (CRK)and Islamic Religion Knowledge (IRK) in our schools.” Meanwhile, the Onimeiran of Meiran Kingdom, Lagos State, Oba Samuel Adewale Oroja, applauded Iba Adams for using his cultural promotion activities to promote Yoruba culture and tradition.
Akinrogun Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, who is also the Coordinator General of Agbado Oke Odo, Chief Kazeem Hamzat said there is need to look beyond the challenges of the nation and seek spiritual method to solve all the problems in Yoruba land.