Politics
MR. Gbolahan Ogunleye, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly,(APC-Ikorodu 1), has urged members of his constituency to promote and preserve Yoruba language from going into extinction.
Ogunleye made the plea during the celebration of his 50th birthday anniversary at the Constituency office at Ebute area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
Ogunleye expressed sadness over the loss of Yoruba values including respect, greetings, way of dressing, native songs, names and others that once distinguished the region.
“Today, Yoruba language is facing a serious challenge to the extent that the coming generation is at a loss in the rudiments of their mother tongue.
“There is an urgent need to promote and preserve yoruba language because it teaches good morals.
“It teaches our children to be respectful to elders, so it is imperative to protect and promote it,” he said.
Ogunleye, Chairman House Committee on Overseas Investment and Sustainable Development Goals( SDGs), said that the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) had mandated usage of Yoruba language at the plenary every Thursday.
He expressed gratitude to members of his constituency for their support and promised to make laws that would impact positively to the lives of Ikorodu resident.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmaker empowered no fewer than 70 women, mostly leaders of each wards, with N50, 000 cash to enhance their businesses in commemoration of his birthday.
The lawmaker also visited the Chloe Orphanage Home to deliver food items including bags of beans, garri, insecticides and beverages like noodles, chocolate beverage, custard, milk among other items, all worth about N5 million.
In his remarks, Mr Japhet Odesanya, a political leader, commended the lawmaker for his generosity and kind heartedness toward women and the orphanage home.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the cash judiciously.
Odesanya also thanked Mr Mudasiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, for reviving Yoruba language and ensuring its acceptances to be used at the floor of the house to make laws and all legislative matters.
“As regards the language, Yoruba should be retooled and redefined because it has been taken away from us by colonialist,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Olukemi Olukoya, Chief Executive Officer of the Orphanage home, appreciated the lawmaker and wished him more glorious years, while calling on other philanthropist to emulate the gesture.
Earlier, Mrs Folasade Oloko, woman leader and beneficiary from Ikorodu North, expressed her gratitude for the cash empowerment and advised beneficiaries to use the cash given to them judiciously to empower themselves. (NAN)
8th December, 2024.
C.E.
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