Ending Hunger in Yoruba States: Yoruba Teachers Association Unite Against Scarcity of Life Necessities, Immorality, Declare Adoption of Yoruba Language As A Native Solution

By: Israel Adeleke 

In a resounding call to action, the Ẹgbẹ́ Akọ́mọlédè àti Àṣà Yorùbá, Nàìjíríà (The Association of Teachers of Yorùbá Language and Culture, Nigeria) has issued a communique on how to deploy language and culture to stem the tide of salient issues that are choking the nation to its very fabric.

The communique, which was co-signed by the National President , Mrs. Fẹ̀yíṣìkẹ́ Àlíù , and the National Secretary, Mrs. Ìbílọlá Afọlábí, was made available to OPEN TELEVISION Naija (OTN) news desk by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief (Dr) Bunmi Ayélàágbé.

The gathering which marked the 48th National Conference of the association with the theme of this year's conference "Language and Culture: Panacea to Resolving Scarcity and Vices," reverberated through the halls of the Federal Government Girls’ College in Òwìnnì, Ọ̀yọ́ State.

The conference observes that, failure to make Yorùbá Language compulsory in our schools, as enshrined in our constitution, from primary school up to secondary school, especially private schools, who rely heavily on English language to promote their schools is one of the reasons why various immoral acts are rearing their ugly heads in our society.

"As a result of the above, the conference therefore reiterates her clarion call to the government at all levels to revisit the issue of making Yoruba language studies compulsory in our institutions."

Furthermore, the association urged Yorùbá states in Nigeria to reintroduce Yoruba as the medium of instruction for subjects like Mathematics, Sciences, and Social Studies at the primary school level, stating that "using our Mother Tongue will foster meaningful learning and national development."

Recognizing the global village we inhabit in today's world, the conference stressed the importance of digitalizing Yorùbá studies as a form of preservation, re-formatting and application to promote the use of Yorùbá studies and reduce social ills in the society.

The association urged parents to monitor their children in order to address the lack of home training reflected in immoral dressing. As the adage goes, "Charity begins at home."

The union further encouraged parents to speak indigenous Yorùbá language to their children at home, stating that; "It is necessary for parents to speak indigenous Language (Yorùbá) to their children at home and allow them to speak it in turn. Mother Tongue is no doubt a potent instrument for home training." 

Furthermore, the union added that, Utilizing Recourse Persons in our secondary schools and higher institution to teach our student indigenous occupations such as drumming, soap making, dyeing etc, and the medium of instruction should be in Mother Tongue. They believe this is a form of youth empowerment and will reduce unemployment. 

Also, the union elucidated that "To solve the problem of scarcity of life necessities we call on the government to establish Price Control Board to reduce unnecessary profiteering in the nation.

"In order to ameliorate the paucity of basic necessities such as food, health, job and crude oil, issue of security should not be taken with levity. All hands should be on deck individually and collectively to put an end to the insecurity in this country. Indeed, governments at all levels have a major role to play in this direction.

To remediate the lack of basic amenities in this nation, the union advised that "Government should curb vices such as corruption, nepotism and money laundering that are very rampant in our contemporary society. 

"It is very important that government through the national Assembly legislate against child trafficking and child Abuse in Nigeria." The union advised.

The association however, expressed their profound gratitude to the Ọ̀yọ́ State Government, most especially, the State Governor, His Excellency, Engineer Ṣèyí Mákindé and his Lieutenants, the Kábíyèsí, Chiefs in Ọ̀yọ́ State for their contributions toward the success of this year Conference. 

They also appreciated the entire Management of Federal Government Girls’ College, Òwìnnì, Ọ̀yọ́ for accommodating them. "We shall be an ingrate if we fail to commend the efforts of the members of executive of the Ọ̀yọ́ State chapter of our Association for the success of the conference" they concluded.