Stakeholders in education sector have been advised to work on policy that will see local languages being used as means of teaching in Nigerian schools.
This was the Hallmark of discussion on Friday, February 19, 2021 as children, family members, friends and associates of Late Deacon Benjamin Adeyemi and Late Chief Bernice Alake Kolade gathered for the 15th and 6th remembrance anniversary of the late couples.
The event, which coincides with international day for the usage of mother’s tongue, was held at Benber foundation hall, Osogbo, Osun State capital.
Late Chief Mrs Bernice Alake Kolade, who was the Iyalode of Osogbo during her life time, died in the year 2015 while her husband, Deacon Benjamin Adeyemi Kolade had died nine years earlier.
Speaking on the value that late couple stood for, the eldest child of the deceased, Mrs Funmi Aderonke Abokede described her parents as cultural advocates, peace lovers and complete parents.
Abokede said her parents valued education and culture that’s why their offsprings have continued their legacy.
She said, “what our parents cherished when they were alive were culture and education, and when we talk culture, language is very key. This is why we are saying Yoruba language should be used as mean of teaching in schools to aid assimilation by students and to help promote our culture.
“When you look at countries around that are great today, you will understand that they speak and teach in their local languages. When our language is used to teach, students will do better and in no distant time, we will see difference.” Abokede said.
In his lecture titled “Quality Education Provision: the usage of Yoruba language for effective teaching and assimilation”, the guest lecturer, Dr Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade positioned that usage of foreign language is having negative impact on the Nigerian education sector.
“An average Chinese becomes a consultant in Nigeria, this is due to quality of education they have. When did you see their certificates? Teaching in Nigerian local dialects would enhance assimilation and also boost our education sector. The earlier we, as country understands this, the better for us.
“Since we have been using adopted languages, what has been the results? Three-quarters of Nigeria is under serious security challenge. Today, our economy is worse. Even in football, our ranking in FIFA is worse. Same goes to our health sector and education. We need to start teaching our children in local language if we want to correct many of this situations.”
Students drawn from six schools in Osogbo, including school for special needs were present at the event and they were given special publication on Yoruba language, while the Kolade’s family promised to continue lending their support to students.
