The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland and convener of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) Worldwide, Iba Gani Adams, has urged the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately reverse the recent policy removing mother tongue as the language of instruction from the Nigerian education curriculum.
Speaking at the 12th Oodua Progressive Union World Congress held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, under the theme “Empowering the Yoruba Homeland and Diaspora: Strategies for Growth and Development,” Adams described the decision as detrimental to children’s learning, cultural preservation, and national identity.
He argued that no great nation neglects its language, emphasizing that the core purpose of education includes deepening understanding of one’s race, heritage, and language.
“Research consistently shows that children learn best in their mother tongue during the foundational years of education. Mother tongue instruction enhances comprehension, critical thinking, and cognitive development, providing a strong foundation for acquiring additional languages and complex subjects,” Adams stated.
He highlighted Nigeria’s rich multilingual and multicultural landscape, noting that mother tongue-based instruction fosters cultural pride, identity, and continuity by linking young learners to their heritage.
Removing it, he warned, risks academic underperformance in early education, cultural erosion, and the gradual loss of indigenous languages among future generations.
Adams made a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging him to direct the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to reconsider and reverse the policy.
“We appeal specifically to President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to reverse the policy because history may not be kind to him. We appeal for a rethink on the policy,” he said.
On the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of the country, particularly in the Southwest, Adams expressed deep concern, revealing that the OPU has for over two years demanded greater collaboration from Southwest governors to address the menace, without meaningful response.
As Aare Onakakanfo, he reiterated his responsibility to safeguard the lives, properties, and interests of Yoruba people. He lamented that security threats had limited attendance at the congress, with many diaspora delegates unable to travel.
Adams called for urgent, coordinated action by federal and state governments, along with all security agencies, to root out bandits from their camps and hideouts nationwide.
He reaffirmed the OPU’s commitment to promoting Yoruba cultural identity globally, the organisation now has branches in 104 countries and pledged continued efforts to secure the future of Yoruba people at home and in the diaspora.
In a related presentation, Dr. Ibrahim Adegbayi, Head of the Department of Yoruba Studies at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the Yoruba homeland and diaspora to unlock economic potential in agriculture, technology, creative industries, commerce, and trade.
He advocated for policies that promote small and medium-scale enterprises in the homeland, encourage diaspora investment in local industries, ensure effective leadership and good governance, and amplify Yoruba voices in national politics while fostering political awareness and civic responsibility.
The congress chairman, Olorogun Kayode Oreniyi (South Africa Coordinator of OPU), described the event as a critical moment for planning and decisive action to protect Yoruba heritage, empower the downtrodden, and secure a better future for the next generation amid national challenges.
The gathering served as a rallying point for Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide, reinforcing the organisation’s role in advocacy, interest aggregation, and socio-cultural empowerment.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com