BOND FM HOLDS THIRD YORUBA ESSAY COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS.

It was another convergence to celebrate Yoruba tradition and customs through the language that binds ethnic groups in Southwestern Nigeria and which is fast being adopted in some other countries of the world.

The Aroko Day 2023 of Bond FM, Radio Nigeria’s foremost language station is the third edition of an Essay Competition for secondary school students in Lagos State, which took place in the GRA Ikeja premises of the station.

The Grandfinale of the Essay Competition attracted the last ten contestants, their parents, guardians, representatives of invited secondary schools, scholars in Yoruba language, Yoruba traditional rulers, as well as Committee of Management of Lagos Operations of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

The Royal Father of the Day and Awise of Onigbongbo, Oba Olusegun Adeyemi -Ajasa, charged

parents, guardians and other stakeholders, to inculcate in children and wards the ability to speak and write in their indigenous languages for preservation of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

” I commended the sustained efforts of Bond FM towards the success of the event annually, noting that the significance of promoting yoruba cultural heritage among the younger generations cannot be over emphasized ‘ Oba Adeyemi – Ajasa

Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, who also doubles as the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Oladotun Tantolohun, expressed delight over the Essay Competition promising to join in further promotion of Yoruba culture by giving support to the initiative.

 ” The Lagos State Government had already stepped up efforts at the promotion of Yoruba language in educational institutions in the state up to tertiary level and at the state assembly “. – Tantolohun

A legislature representing Apapa Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Dr. Samuel Adedayo expressed the hope that Yoruba and other indigenous languages would be elevated to be used for teaching of all subjects, and for other official purposes.

” Indigenous languages are now being used in legislative sessions hence the need for parents to help in supporting their children to speaking local languages to avoid it going into extinction ” Adebayo

Director Lagos Operations of the Federal Radio Coperation of Nigeria, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi urged parents and teachers to instill the speaking of Yoruba and other languages fluently in children both at home and school, just as other countries like France, China and Brazil, who have promoted their indigenous languages in all ramifications.

I am assure everyone that Bond FM is committed to promoting indigenous languages, as part of the rich cultural heritage of the country.

 Princess Adenike Adegoke, General Manager, Bond FM, lauded every support that made the programme a reality adding that it was put together to advance Yoruba language and other cultural values.

” I urge parents, teachers and religious leaders, to speak Yoruba language at home, school, churches and the mosques for it’s advancement “. GM

The winner of the first position who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mariam Adebayo, expressed joy for emerging topmost among other contestants in the keenly contested Essay Competition.

The event was sponsored by the Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Adesina Asade and supported by tradional rulers in Lagos among whom are, the Baale Otumara and High Chief Kehinde Kalejaye.