October 25, (THEWILL) — Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, urged Nigerians, especially those who have their children abroad, to teach them the Yoruba language and culture so that they don’t lose their identity in a foreign land.
Obasanjo, who emphasised the significance of cultural heritage, said that Yoruba people needed to accustom their young ones in diaspora with their roots to enable them to connect with their culture and traditions.
He spoke on Saturday at the 26th Edition of Odun Omo Oluwo 2025 with the theme “Awaken the Owu Spirit”, held at Ọba Adeleye Park, Sokori, Ori-Omi, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Obasanjo, who shared the story of his late professor friend who sent his children abroad but refused to teach them the Yoruba language and culture, said that whenever they wrote letters to him that the white men wanted to know their culture, they had nothing to identify with.
He, however, admonished Yoruba parents both at home and abroad to endeavour to teach their children the Yoruba language and culture as the only legacy they can leave behind, saying that teaching them would not make them lose their identity and roots.
“Our culture is the totality of our way of life. If somebody abuses me that I don’t have a culture, I will fight that person because what that person said is that I don’t have a way of life. And it is only our culture that makes us different from other people. Let us elevate our culture, which is the greatest legacy we can leave for our children when we get old and when we die.
“There is nothing that can replace our culture. I have a professor friend, he said his children should not speak Yoruba, and when they went abroad and wrote letters to their father, what they said in the letter is that the white men always asked about their culture, but their father did not teach them about it.”
Speaking, the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, called on sons and daughters of the Owu kingdom to invest in their community and the state in order to create jobs and improve the state’s economy, said that by doing so, they would key into the ISEYA Mantra of the governor.
“As we celebrate this year’s festival, let it be a call on the sons and daughters of Owu, both at home and abroad, to invest in the growth of their homeland. You must always remember that matter where destiny takes you, Owu remains your home, your identity and your pride.
“Let us pass to the next generation the virtues of discipline, honesty, hard work and unity. May the Owu Kingdom continue to prosper, and may our culture continue to inspire unity and economic hope”, Abiodun noted.
Earlier, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Ọba Saka Matemilola, thanked the dignitaries, including Obasanjo, Abiodun, Former Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Senator representing Ogunwest Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola Yayi, traditional rulers, sons and daughters of Owu for their contributions to the development of the community.
Seun Shotunde, THEWILL
