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A former Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Wande Abimbola, has warned that Yoruba language faces the threat of extinction in the next 50 years if urgent steps are not taken to revive it.
He said it was unfortunate that Nigeria had failed in attracting tourism and foreign investment despite the immense potential available in the country.
Abimbola, who is the Awise Agbaye, a high chieftaincy title bequeathed to him for his prowess in Ifa knowledge, explained that the Yoruba were highly endowed in terms of culture.
Delivering his speech in Yoruba, Abimbola charged the government, parents and guardians to endeavour to allow the young to communicate in Yoruba, saying that this would aid learning of science and technology.
Abimbola, who sounded a gong as he delivered obsequies to Yoruba gods, said, “The Yoruba in the Diaspora are over 100 million.
Yoruba language will go into extinction in the next 50 years if we don’t arrest the trend of neglect afflicting the language.
“Yoruba will be slaves to other cultures if we don’t take the bull by the horns and start teaching our children Yoruba language from nursery to primary and secondary schools. Brazil, where 50 million Yoruba people reside, makes so much money propagating Yoruba cultures and language.”
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