The Foundation for Preservation of Yoruba Culture and Heritage held its second annual global celebration on Tuesday, June 4, 2025 at the Cinema Hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. The highly anticipated event drew a large membership alongside distinguished guests, reflecting a shared commitment to promoting Yoruba traditions.
The gathering was graced by esteemed traditional rulers from across the South-West of Nigeria, adding grandeur to the colorful ceremony themed ‘Yoruba Ti G’oke Agba’. The event featured spectacular cultural and traditional displays, reaffirming the richness of Yoruba heritage.
According to the Global President, Barrister Kehinde Adebayo Somoye, reiterated that the celebration serves as a platform to preserve, promote, and celebrate Yoruba language and culture across communities worldwide. Their vision extends beyond the festivities, aiming to sustain Yoruba traditions in homes, schools, and social spheres.
A crucial aspect of the initiative is the introduction of Yoruba cultural teachings in elementary and secondary schools. This effort seeks to instill a deep-rooted appreciation for Yoruba heritage among young learners, while also encouraging those in the diaspora to prioritize Yoruba as their first-choice language in daily interactions.
In alignment with this mission, the foundation has urged all South-West Houses of Assembly, State Executive Councils, and government stakeholders to actively support the integration of Yoruba language into legislative deliberations. They emphasize the significance of policy-driven efforts in preserving linguistic identity.
Newsjaunts also reports that the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, delivered an impassioned appeal to parents and guardians, urging them to incorporate Yoruba speaking into their children’s upbringing. He emphasized that culture shapes societal identity and, therefore, must be embraced and upheld in all forums, rather than overshadowed by foreign languages and traditions.
In a thought-provoking lecture, Dr. Soji Faseye, a scholar from the Department of Yoruba, underscored the impressive contributions of Yoruba individuals across various fields. Citing icons such as Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, first Chief Judge Adetokunbo Ademola, and statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he highlighted the enduring legacy of the Yoruba people.
Newsjaunts further reports that Dr. Faseye expressed concern over the diminishing use of Yoruba language in many households, criticizing parents who fail to encourage linguistic heritage among their children. He urged the Nigerian government to make Yoruba a compulsory subject in schools, reinforcing its role in shaping national identity.
