By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The call for collective action to preserve the Yoruba language and culture took centre stage at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s (Bond 92.9 FM) two-in-one cultural celebration tagged “Aroko and Yoruba Day Celebration.”
The event, held at the premises of Bond FM, National Broadcast Academy, Ikeja, Lagos State, brought together traditional rulers, government officials, cultural enthusiasts, and media professionals from across Yoruba-speaking states.
Delivering the keynote address, the Araba of Osogbo, renowned Ifa priest and cultural icon, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, urged parents, guardians, and traditional rulers to intensify efforts in promoting the Yoruba language and culture among the younger generation to prevent them from going into extinction.
Chief Elebuibon described language as the vessel of culture, noting that when a language is lost, a people’s heritage and wisdom vanish with it. He encouraged parents to speak Yoruba at home and to teach their children proverbs, folklore, and historical stories that reflect the true essence of Yoruba identity.
In his goodwill message, the royal father of the occasion, the Awuse of Onigbongbo Kingdom, Oba Adeyemi Ajasa, commended Bond FM for its consistency in promoting Yoruba culture through its various programmes and initiatives.
He further called on other media organisations to dedicate more airtime to indigenous language broadcasts to strengthen cultural awareness among young people.
Similarly, the Olu of Ipaja, Oba Kolawole Egundipe, and the Onishasha of Shasha Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Ogunronbi, emphasised that language should not be mixed with religion.
They appealed to government authorities to revive the indigenous storybooks that were once used in primary and secondary schools, noting that such materials help children learn depth, discipline, and cultural values.
Chairman of Mainland Local Government, Mr Jubril Emilagba, lauded Bond FM’s unrelenting efforts in fostering national unity through indigenous programming.
He urged other broadcasting stations to emulate the initiative by producing more Yoruba-language content that educates, entertains, and unites people.
The Director of FRCN Lagos Operations, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi, commended the stakeholders and traditional rulers who collaborated with Bond FM to make the event a success.
She however, expressed concern that many parents no longer speak Yoruba to their children due to modernisation, warning that this trend could lead to the gradual extinction of the language.
In his words of appreciation, the General Manager of Bond FM, Mr Wahab Akoshile, acknowledged the support of traditional rulers, government representatives, and Bond FM staff who contributed to the success of the celebration.
He explained that the Aroko and Yoruba Day event was organised as part of the station’s ongoing commitment to promoting Yoruba language and culture, adding that Bond FM, which broadcasts in the three major Nigerian languages, namely Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, would continue to contribute to the preservation of Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage through its news and programmes.
The Aroko Essay Competition, titled “Those Who Haste for Money Are Dead,” was designed to discourage the get-rich-quick mentality among Nigerian youths. The top three winners: Temidare Oluwapelu (first place), Aliya Amidah Oluwasemilore (second), and Mojeed Rabiat (third), received gifts and cash prizes, while other outstanding participants were presented with consolation awards.
The celebration featured traditional music, dance, poetry, and storytelling that showcased the beauty and depth of Yoruba heritage.
Guests and participants were adorned in colourful traditional attire, with performances from popular artistes such as Waka Queen Salawa Abeni, Fuji musician Sikiru Lemo, and Alhaja Hawawu Alake Aminulahi, popularly known as Iya Aladuke.
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