Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos state governor has given a directive that public and private schools in the state should sing the national anthem in Yoruba language on a daily basis.
According to the governor, Yoruba language would also be a compulsory subject for students.
Idiat Adebule, the deputy governor, relayed the directive at a meeting with principals and head teachers of public schools in Lagos.
Adebule said Wednesdays had been declared ‘Yoruba Speaking Day’ in schools, with all teaching and learning activities from assembly period to closing being done in Yoruba.
“Gov. Ambode wants me to pass this message to you, that henceforth, Yoruba language be made compulsory in both private and public schools,” she said.
“The national anthem must be sung in Yoruba on a daily basis too.
“The Egbe Akomolede has done the translation and we will send the copies of the Yoruba version to your schools by Monday so you can begin to teach the students.
“I have also met with the owners of private schools and we have relayed this directive to them.
“We are also considering translating the textbooks of other subjects into Yoruba Language because I believe that when students are taught in their mother language, learning will be easy and their level of performance will improve.
“The state government is passionate about this Law, so we do not lose our language, culture and heritage.”
Adebule said the ministry of education was doing an assessment to ascertain the number of Yoruba teachers that would be required to effectively teach the language in public schools.
She appealed to the school managers to cooperate with the government to drive and ensure the effective implementation of the Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Law.
