Sunmoni tasks FG, others on promotion of indigenous languages, culture

The Pro – Chancellor and Chairman, 10th Governing Council of the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos, Sir David Sunmoni, KJW, has urged the Federal Government and government at all levels to lay emphasis in promoting indigenous language and culture, especially among the youths.

Sunmoni, who gave the advise at the third edition of the Musediq Alogba E – Library & Research Centre of the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), where students from public and private secondary schools in Ikorodu Division and other eminent personalities were audience, read a yoruba literature – Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole, authored by D.O. Fagunwa.

While explaining that he chose to read a Yoruba literature to press home his point, he condemned the labeling of Yoruba and other local dialects as vernacular, saying “Vernacular is a language that is not known to the English man. Any language that they did not understand is termed vernacular. If it is in the Ibo land, that mean Ibo language is a vernacular, and same applicable to Yoruba.”

Continuing, he said: “They carry that mentality that they are not supposed to speak vernacular and haven’t known better. I think that we must promote our language and our culture.”

The LASU Pro – Chancellor, who engaged in an interactive session with his audience, charged them to be proud anytime of speak their language and promoting their indigenous culture.

“Every person must imbibe the culture of speaking his or her language very well. While English Language is very important, it is important also that we must imbibe our culture and language. Every person must be proud to speak his local language. Anyone that is not proud of his culture, is not fit to live,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Musediq Alogba E – Library & Research Centre and a former Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Lagos State, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, said the session was introduced to cultivate reading culture among the students, and also mentor them.

“This programme was designed by the Musediq Alogba E -Library Committee, to get our youths to imbibe the spirit of reading and that is why we have instituted this program, and this is the third in the series.

“Incidentally, in the past editions, we read books in English Language, but because of the special request by our special guest, who is doing marvelously well at the Lagos State University and ensuring that our indigenous language continues to be relevant, we are reading a Yoruba book. Today’s event is actually dedicated to you, the youths. You are the ones to read with our special guests. You are the spotlight,” he said.

The former Commissioner, who recalled how they were beaten by their teacher for speaking Yoruba Language which was termed as vernacular, said that the act discourages the speaking of the language and promotion of the indigenous culture.