The Secretary to Ekiti State Government Dr. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro has said that the state government is ready to revive the use of Yoruba language in schools and government institutions.
Adubiaro made this position known on Thursday while paying host to Yoruba cultural group known as, “Egbe Akomolede Ati Asa Yoruba” in her office in Ado-Ekiti.
The SSG admitted that the speaking of Yoruba language has almost gone into extinction among students of private and public schools which called for a serious concern.
She said that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji accorded respect to Yoruba culture and would not hesitate to take step in preventing it from going into extinction.
She added that if foreigners were willing to learn Yoruba language and culture, there is no reason for the real owner of the language to abandon it.
She commended the group for promoting Yoruba cultural norms and values in our society.
“Let me start by thanking you on behalf of the state government for your efforts in seeing that Yoruba cultural values did not go into extinction.
“It is true that the learning of Yoruba language by both students of public and private schools is no longer feasible like before which calls for a great concern”.
“In view of this, the state government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is ready to revive the use of Yoruba language in our schools and government institutions”.
‘He knows the value of Yoruba culture and will not allow it to go into extinction” she said.
The SSG called on the group to put their demands in written to the government and take further step in making their views known to the state legislature for more assistance.
Earlier the State Chairman of “Egbe Akomolede Ati Asa Yoruba”, Akogun Olumuyiwa Akinrelere had on behalf of the group sought for government support in reviving the use of Yoruba language in schools and government institutions.
The group demanded that the state government should give an executive order or enact law that will mandate the use of Yoruba as official language in institution of learning so as to revive and promote the speaking of Yoruba language among students.