The Isese (conventional) faith and Ifa (Oracle) have been described as pivots on which the Yoruba language revolves.
The Chairman of the Worldwide Council of Ifa Faith (ICIR), Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, made this declare on Saturday whereas delivering a lecture titled: “Yoruba Language and Tradition, Yesterday, As we speak and Tomorrow,” on the Palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, throughout the 2024 annual cultural competition , organized by Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba, Nigeria, Ekun Ife (Affiliation of Academics of Yoruba Language and Tradition, Nigeria, Ife Zone).
The traditionalist known as on the Governors of Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos States to instantly begin a course of to alter the language of all textbooks utilized in major and secondary faculties to Yoruba, to make sure correct enhance efficiency and enhance the worth of the college. language among the many audio system.
Fakayode hinted that the time has come when folks ought to cease mentioning the vernacular of Yoruba language and make communication with the language a should at residence, work and college as a result of analysis has proven that college students who every educate a topic of their native language carry out higher than the topic they educate. with overseas language.
He additional emphasised that the Yoruba language, which has achieved a pre-eminent place amongst world languages as a result of acceptance of the Ifa faith the world over, will proceed to develop and substitute different languages with time.
“It’s excessive time that we decolonize ourselves by not seeing our language as a vernacular and begin speaking with our youngsters in Yoruba, our mom tongue. Analysis exhibits that there is no such thing as a doubt that college students who’re taught a topic of their native language carry out higher than college students who’re taught in a overseas language.
“The problem of Yoruba Language and Faith might be likened to a pc whose {hardware} can’t perform with out the software program. Within the case of Yoruba tradition, language and different elements are {hardware} whereas Yoruba Faith is the software program on which different elements rely.
“As we speak, the Yoruba language is a world language as a result of all folks working towards the Yoruba faith, no matter coloration or race, have to be accustomed to Ifa, the textual content that may solely be expressed within the Yoruba language. As Arabic is the language of the Holy Qur'an, so Yoruba is the language of Ifá.
“Subsequently, simply because the unfold of Islam the world over makes Arabic worldwide, so the Yoruba faith makes the Yoruba language worldwide. It’s because when you settle for a faith, you routinely settle for the tradition of the supply of the faith.
“It’s pertinent for all Yorùbá to be taught Ifa as a result of that is the repository of Yoruba tradition and custom.
“I take advantage of this medium to attraction to all lovers of the Yoruba language to affix arms in selling Ìsẹ̀ṣe, the normal Yoruba faith, in the event that they actually don’t need the Yorùbá language to be endangered.
“The way forward for Yoruba language and tradition is promising as it’s witnessing renaissance. The Yoruba faith is alleged to rank sixth among the many religions of the world right now. It’s sure that because the Yoruba faith continues to develop, the language and tradition can even proceed to develop.
“The time has come for the 5 South West Governors to provoke a right away course of to alter the language of the textbooks used to show topics like physics, chemistry, biology, arithmetic and the remainder, to make sure the relevance of the language and, most significantly, to enhance the relevance of the language. the tutorial efficiency of our college students,” mentioned Fakayode.
In her opening deal with, Chairman of Ife Department Zone of Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba, Erelu Olubunmi Ajayi, mentioned the cultural day offers secondary and first faculty college students a possibility to showcase and develop their abilities and promote Yoruba tradition and custom .
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