So Ede Yoruba

In 2018, we are taking the promotion, protection and preservation of Yoruba language and culture to the next level. A language can only be preserved if we speak it.

How do we solve the problems that are impending? How do we reverse the tide of fading languages? How do we bring people to appreciate the richness and wealth inherent in Yoruba? How do we get Nigerians talking again?

Many solutions seem ineffective. Policy changes do not get people to appreciate the wealth of their own languages; school programs are outshined by the pressure of globalization – the pressure to submit to the more ‘appropriate’ fad of speaking in Western languages.

The need of the hour is a bottom-up, creative, culturally appropriate solution to the problem of fading languages. Most solutions hardly impact on the general populace because they aren’t community driven, participation is not acknowledged, and westernization is tacitly encouraged.

My aim is to ensure that everyone is educated in the knowledge of our forebears and in the wake of this, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry Education is coming up with a policy to ensure that Mathematics and other Science Oriented subjects are taught in indigenous languages.

I see this as building on a faulty foundation if we don’t find a way to make our indigenous language appealing to this 21^st century generation.

What if speaking Yoruba language becomes fashionable?

How do we reward participation in individual cultures? How do we popularize our stories, our predicaments, and the pressing need to speak ‘Yoruba’?

Based on this, my team and I are going round Secondary, tertiary institutions and communities in Nigeria and in the diaspora preaching the gospel of Yoruba language preservation and the urgent need to ‘Sọ èdè Yorùbá’.

The essence of this is to further re-awaken and strengthen learning and teaching of Yoruba language and culture in our land and also make it societal ‘alright’ to speak ones indigenous language.

This will subsequently lead to Quiz, debates, writing, reading and other competitions in Yoruba language across schools and on web platforms.

We have a vision that before the end of 3^rd quarter 2018, we shall have upward of 500,000 active members in ‘Sọ èdè Yorùbá’database.

We need your help!

We are giving out Yoruba books, ‘Sọ èdè Yorùbá’lapels and T-shirts, books to pupils at N3000 or 10dollar per pack. My Prayer therefore is that you support this noble course as we strive to save, protect and preserve Yorùbá language, values and wisdom of our forebears by purchasing packs which shall have your name printed on it as a donor for your Alma Mata and other pupils.

I count much on your support as I journey to preserve our declining cultural heritage which I know is your passion also.

Thank You!

Èmi ni tiyín ni tòótọ́,

Ọlálékàn Fábílọlá

(Author, The Ancient Wisdom—Òwe Yoruba. A compilation of 500 Yorùbá proverbs with English Translation and extensive further explanation)