The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi has disclosed that Yoruba language is presently been taught in over 26 Universities in the United States of America.
Oba Adeyemi stated this while speaking on the need for the entire Yoruba race to promote their culture and heritage at this year’s World Sango Day, held in his palace, in Oyo town.
The royal father emphasized that the time has come for traditional rulers in Yorubaland to promote Yoruba Cultural Heritage and as well uphold Yoruba culture and tradition, saying, the generations unborn will not forgive the Traditional rulers if they fail to promote Yoruba cultural heritage in their respective domain.
“Yoruba language is been taught in over 26 Universities in America, ‘so, there is a need for us to take our culture very serious.’I want to charge you to promote our cultural heritage in your respective domains”, he said.
Oba Adeyemi added, ” It is a challenge for us in Yorubaland, if we forget our culture and tradition, let us teach our children Yoruba culture and tradition, there is a different between religion and culture, don’t be ashamed to dress in Yoruba attires, our culture should even reflect in the way we eat.”
On the importance of the World Sango Festival, the Alaafin disclosed that Sango was one of the Alaafin of Oyo before he later became a deity, and that Sango possessed the ability of fighting his opponent without physical encounter and that the beauty of the Sango festival “is for the promotion of Yoruba culture and heritage.”
Oba Adeyemi then urged that Yoruba parents should start teaching their children Yoruba language in their different homes and schools as research has shown that someone cannot be fluent in speaking English without good knowledge of Yoruba language.
Speaking, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun said Sango festival is been celebrated not only in Oyo State, but all over countries of the world, and that is why some foreign nationals attended the Sango festival and that it is been celebrated every year in remembrance of the impact of Alaafin Sango as one of the Alaafin’s and also as a deity, and that Sango will forever be remember as far as Yoruba land is concern.
“By next year, the state government will have promoted this festival to be included in one of the UNECO program and celebrated as that one of Osun Oshogbo festival, Sango is one of the most celebrated in the world.”he said.
