Unveiling "Àsà Àjogúnbà Ilè Yorùbá" by Adeoye Bakare...Oyetola calls for promotion of Yoruba language, culture and virtues

Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola the Executive Governor of the State of Osun has applauded Mr. Adeoye Bakare, the Executive Secretary of the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board for authoring the book "Àsà Àjogúnbà Ilè Yorùbá".

Governor Oyetola who was represented by Prince Wole.Oyebiji at the public presentation of the book on Thursday as Father of the Day at the occasion said that the author deserves commendation for coming up with the book at a time when Yoruba language, culture, traditions and norms are declining. He called on relevant stakeholders to rise up and ensure that the traditions of Yoruba do not go into extinction.

"Adeoye Bakare had demonstrated a high level of expertise worthy of commendation and I am happy to be at the book launch," Prnce Oyebamiji said as he delivered the speech of Osun governor in Yoruba. He charged parents and guardians to endeavor to allow the young to communicate in Yoruba.

The author had earlier said in his welcome address that the book was inspired by his years of introspection on how he thinks that the new generation of Yoruba people can pull back from the alarming speed from which western culture is eroding Yoruba traditions and culture.

He appreciated all those that supported him through the writing of the book which he described as his little way of supporting the efforts of the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola's innovations in the Education sector, as he appealed to all and sundry in Osun to give  the needed support to the governor for a second tenure in office.

Reviewing the book, Dr. Olusegun Faturoti, from Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, hailed  the author's writing style that is many steps away from recent publications in Yoruba language that are mostly on fiction, collection of proverbs or mere story telling novels.

Dr. Ifaturoti extolled the 190-page book which the theme revolves around Yoruba culture, beliefs, traditions and wise-sayings. which could be very useful for the readers. 

The Chief Launcher of the occasion, the Senator representing Osun Central, Sen. Ajibola Bashiru who was represented by Mr. Remi Obatola congratulated the author and encouraged him to engage in more intellectual pursuits.

Also, in his Goodwill message, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, HRM, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, the Royal Father of the occasion lamented how Christian and Islamic religions have influenced traditional Yoruba beliefs and customs. The traditional ruler appealed to parents to teach their children Yoruba language, virtues, norms, culture, beliefs and characters.

At the occasion, the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Benedict Alabi was represented by Mr. Sunkanmi Ajiboye, Hon. Rasheed Afolabi, member representing Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives and Chief Mrs. Sola Oyehan-Ogunfolaju who represented Hon. Mrs. Taiwo Oluga. member representing Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.

 

The Chief Host of the well-attended ceremony was Hon. Israel Ajibola Famurewa, Chairman of Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Othe dignitaries present were, Hon. Richard Tinubu, Engr. Remi Omowaiye, Hon. Bosun Oyintiloye and host of others.

Oladimeji Lasore reporting.

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