Kunle Adelabu
-Engages students in Yoruba literature reading
The Pro – Chancellor and Chairman, 12th Governing Council of the Lagos State University (LASU), Sir David Sunmoni, KJW, has emphasized the importance of promoting the indigenous language and culture.
Sir Sunmoni gave the charge at the 3rd edition of the Musediq Alogba E – Library & Research Centre of the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), where he was the Library Personality that engaged students from invited public and private secondary schools in Ikorodu Division and other eminent audience.
Other eminent personalities that joined the Library Personality at the reading session were Dr Mobolaji Ayotunde Olukoya, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Chairman, Musediq Alogba E -Library & Research Centre, Alhaji Fatai O. Lasisi, former Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Taxation & former Chairman, IDRDG, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, former Head of Service and Treasurer, IDRDG, Prof. Micheal Ajetunmobi, a Professor of Mathematics and former Vice Chairman, IDRDG, Otunba Wole Odulate, General Secretary, IDRDG & General Secretary, Ikorodu Town Hall Management Board, Pharm. Tunji Sanni, Secretary, Musediq Alogba E -Library & Research Centre, Alhaji Sikiru Amure, Secretary, IDHRDB and Mr Tunde Afuwape, member, Ikorodu Town Hall Management Board, Mr Seun Elesho, FCA, Samson Bisiriyu and Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) represented by two union officers among others.
Sir Sumoni read the book, ‘Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole’, authored by D.O. Fagunwa, and read the chapter titled, ‘Ojo Ekini Lodo Iragbeje Ni Ile Olojulemeje’ from page 71 to 82.
While he kicked – started the reading and explained some issues to his audience whom he read to, especially students, Sir Sunmoni, in the tradition of the session, also invited some of the students in attendance, to take their turns in reading part of the chapter.
Sir Sunmoni explained that he chose to read a Yoruba literature to further his course of promoting the indigenous culture.
“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.
“I was in Form 4 in Oriwu College when I checked my dictionary and discovered that there is nothing called vernacular. Yoruba is language and once they don’t understand it, it turned into a vernacular.
“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. So, today, I will be reading from ‘Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole” by D.O. Fagunwa, and will also be speaking more in Yoruba and less of English Language”, he said.
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.
Sir Sunmoni used screen to show Yoruba Language being used to cast news in the United States of America (USA), to emphasise the importance o Yoruba Language and how foreigners are embracing it.
Speaking earlier, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, the Chairman, Musediq Alogba E – Library & Research Centre and a former Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Lagos State, who welcomed guests, especially, the Library Personality, added that the session was introduced to cultivate reading culture among the students, and also mentor them.
“I welcome you all to this session which is particularly dedicated to the young ones to inculcate reading habit in them, so that they can read and once you’re able to read, you will definitely be a leader in your profession.
“So, this program 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, the past editions that we had, we read books in English Language, but because of the special request by our special guest today, 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, and I welcome you all to this session and wish us all a very fruitful session’, 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.
He commended the efforts of the special guest in encouraging the speaking of Yoruba and other indigenous languages.
“So, as the Pro -Chancellor in our very prestigious university, he wants us to look at that area and he has decided to read, “Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole”, by Fagunwa, and this is highly commendable on his part and I want you children to be ready for that. I want you all to listen, including parents that are here. We want to listen to you as you read in the Yoruba Language”, he said
Speaking on the library and how the committee have upgraded, Prince Rotimi charged the students and members of the public on the need to make use of the facility.
“The Musedig Alogba E -Library and Research Centre, is located within this complex and when the committee came on board last year, we decided to take the library from what it was, to the digital level by making it an e-library.
“So, when you visit the library, you can access many materials through our e- platform. The library, as you can see in the name, is named after one of the founding fathers of IDRDG and somebody who contributed a lot to the growth of Ikorodu Division, the late Alhaji Musediq Alogba, and we have one of his sons, Babawale Alogba here with us.
“He was a very prominent person.
“The library is open every day and I implore students especially during your holidays and weekends. The facility can also be made use of by teachers and other professionals. We have professional materials that you can access.
“After upgrading the library from the analogue state to digital, the committee went ahead to establish a CBT/ICT center which is on the upper floor of the library.
“Today, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is using the CBT centre for its computer – based examination. This is another initiative of the library to ensure the reading culture is imbibe by the young ones
Copies of the book, ‘Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole’, were presented to all the schools that were in attendance and guests.
Students and teachers that attended the session commended the initiative, especially the promotion of Yoruba culture by the special guest.
While Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the Chief Learning Officer, Kith & Kin Schools, was the first Library Personality, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, former Secretary to the Lagos State Government and a chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), was the special guest at the second reading session.
