Alaroye Osun Correspondent, Babasola, to launch Yoruba Book December 3

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

Correspondent of a weekly Yoruba newspaper, known as “Alaroye” in Osun State, Mrs Florence Babasola has enjoined all the people of Yoruba race not to abandon their mother tongue.

Mrs Babasola made this known on Monday while speaking with our Correspondent on a book written and published by her known as “Ede Yoruba Lonan Irorun” which is ready for launch on Thursday the 3rd of December at Osun NUJ State Council, Osogbo the state capital.

Mrs Babasola said she was highly disturbed by the fate of Yoruba Language, which, according to her, was suffering rapid erosion that called for the book.

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She said thr book was her effort to rescue the language from total extinction.

According to her, she considered the book as her intellectual contribution to the language, which she stated, remained a strong means of preserving Yoruba culture.

“The 52-page book got answer to some questions which the author had identified among obstacles to mass appeal of Yoruba Language to the youths,” she said.

Babasola lamented the frightening pace at which more Yoruba speakers, especially the younger generation, were embracing the use of English language in their formal and informal transactions.

While the journalist held some parents culpable for folding their arms and deliberately suppressing use of Yoruba Language at home, primary and secondary schools were no more interested in speaking the language.

“Curiously, this is happening to Yoruba language at the time more people from every part of the world are showing interest in learning the language because of its richness. For every Yoruba cultural enthusiasts, this calls for sober reflection.

“Although there have been efforts to protect the language by encouraging teachers to use it as a medium of communication with their pupils. But the need to further build on the ground already reclaimed made me to pay more attention and observe some simple Yoruba topics and sentences that are ideal for the young ones to know,” she said.

At the book launch, former Nigeria Ambassador to Philippines, Dr.m Yemi Farounbi, would be the guest speaker to be complemented by a host of other dignitaries from within and outside Osun State.