Yoruba traditional rulers Tuesday in Osogbo commended the unique Yoruba alphabets, saying that it will further entrench Yoruba culture and protect it from encroachment from Western culture and the negative consequences of modernity.
The monarchs gave the commendation while paying an advocacy visit to Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on the institutionalization, domestication, teaching and learning of the newly discovered Oduduwa alphabets.
The Oduduwa alphabets were invested by Chief Toluwalese Oguntosin, who was also present at the occasion. Chief Oguntosin, whose invention was demonstrated during the meeting, revealed that he was divinely inspired to come up with the alphabets that were fundamentally different from the English alphabets.
The traditional rulers, led by Olufon of Ifon-Orolu Kingdom, Oba AbdulMoroof Mogbagbeola, include Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ajase Port-Novo in Republic of Benin, Oba Abdul-Yekeen Ajasa Adeleye, Owa-Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole, Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi and Olugbon of Igbon, Oba Francis Olu Alao.
In their separate remarks, Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ajase Port-Novo in Republic of Benin, Oba Abdul-Yekeen Ajasa Adeleye, Owa-Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole and Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi, threw their supports behind the domestication, institutionalization, teaching and learning of the new Oduduwa alphabets, saying the initiative if sustained will go a long way at reconnecting the Yorubas all over the world.
In his words, Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ajase Port-Novo in Republic of Benin, Oba Abdul-Yekeen Ajasa Adeleye said the purpose of the visit was to intimate the Governor with the need to support the promotion of the new Oduduwa alphabet which according to him will give the Yorubas their deserved identity.
According to the traditional ruler, “we are here to advocate the need for us as Yorubas, both at home and in the Diaspora, particularly we that fall to other countries on the need to support the promotion, teaching and learning of the newly discovered Oduduwa alphabets.
The trio also hailed Governor Aregbesola for being committed to the promotion and advancement of African culture, tradition and values, particularly Yoruba language.
The royal fathers described Governor Aregbesola as a symbol of African culture whose personality and influence had been used to promote indigenous culture, norms and customs. They applauded Governor Aregbesola for taking the lead in positioning African tradition and culture to its rightful position.
“We chose to visit Mr Governor not because of other things but because of his love and passion for the development of African culture particularly anything that concerns Yorubas.
“We have seen the role which you have been playing at fostering unity, peace and togetherness between and among the Yorubas and to us, this is commendable and outstanding and it is on this that we are flagging-off the campaign and advocacy over the newly invented alphabets which henceforth will be used for teaching and learning in public schools.
“It is our collective belief that the learning of these alphabets will give us our true identity, foster unity, distinguish us and reunite us as a nation”, Onikoyi added.
Also, the Olugbon of Igbon, Oba Francis Olu Alao and Olufon of Ifon-Orolu Kingdom, Oba AbdulMoroof Mogbagbeola, said the new alphabets will serve as a strong mechanism to strengthen unity among Yorubas.
Speaking on the way to accomplish the teaching and learning of the new alphabet, the duo said a steering committee will be constituted to actualize the motive.
In his response, Governor Aregbesola commended the traditional rulers, urging them to complement the efforts by taking the teaching and learning of the alphabets to their various domains.
He expressed his administration’s support for the new alphabets, saying “this will serve as a means of engendering unity among the Yorubas”.
