The National Coordinator, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and promoter of Olokun Festival, Otunba Gani Adams, has appealed to states and federal governments, as well as parents and guardians to promote the development of cultural values through the teaching and learning of indigenous languages in schools and homes.
He spoke on Thursday in Lagos at a lecture to commemorate 2015 edition of Olokun Festival.
Adams, who lamented that globalization has badly affected the use of Nigerian indigenous languages, said some parents do not encourage their wards to speak in local dialect.
He said all must be done to ensure Nigerian languages are not extinct, warning that, “one day, we will all wake up and future generations will tell us there is nothing like local dialect.”
According to him, “It is sad to see that most young people, encouraged by their parents, do not speak our indigenous languages.
“In our schools, our children are encouraged to speak, write and use English language.
“This development occasioned by globalization, is threatening the survival of our indigenous languages.
“Cultural globalization has also negative impact on the number of movies produced by Nigerian Nollywood.
“There are more movies produced in English than those produced in Yoruba or any other Nigerian languages.
In his speech, guest lecturer, Dr. Enomhen Omhankesylvester of the Lagos State University (LASU), said respect for one another’s cultural way of life without recourse to looking down on same will create an atmosphere for cordial co-existence.
“African rich cultural cannot be relegated and the worship of gods and consultation of oracle acceptable ways for them.”
“There may not be any heightened clash if mutual suspicion, relegation, cultural dominance is not allowed to take over other people’s culture,” he added.
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