The Yoruba language could soon go extinct, according to the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere.
At the conclusion of its caucus meeting in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, Afenifere made the assertion that Yoruba is being used instead of English by the locals.
The group called on state governments in the region to “make the language the medium for teaching at elementary and lower level of secondary education”.
In addition, Afenifere urged parents to develop the skill of speaking the language into their children.
“Afenifere noted that the Yoruba language is in danger of dying out because many Yorubas, particularly the elite, would rather speak English to their children than their native tongue,” the communiqué states.
Therefore, Afenifere urged Yorubaland’s governments to use the language as the medium of instruction in primary and secondary schools in an effort to save the language from oblivion.
At the level of the school certificate test, make it mandatory for all students. Additionally, it urged guardians and parents to alter their mindset by making Yoruba language proficiency a priority for their children.
