The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has said Yoruba is more than a language and should not be neglected in favour of other necessities.
Hamzat, who is the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Lagos, said this after appearing on Masoyinbo, a show that promotes Yoruba language and culture.
His appearance on the show came after the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, faced backlash from netizens after he tried to address an audience in Yoruba language.
At The Platform event held recently, Rhodes-Vivour was asked to tell the audience how he intends to preserve the Yoruba language, culture and heritage of Lagos State if he eventually governs the state.
The young lady who put the question forward to the governorship candidate spoke in Yoruba, leaving the audience expecting Rhodes-Vivour to respond in the same language.
When Rhodes-Vivour tried to answer in English, the audience expressed their displeasure, forcing him to speak in Yoruba, which he struggled to do. This happened weeks after he granted an interview in which he said he had been learning how to speak Yoruba.
Following the backlash, the ADC candidate then issued a statement saying he would prioritise infrastructural and other needs of Lagosians instead of using Yoruba language to explain away inefficiencies.
Hamzat, on his part, believes Yoruba language should not take the back seat in favour of other things but be preserved for generations to come.
He shared on X after appearing on Masoyinbo, "I had a great time on Masoyinbo, exploring the importance of Yoruba in our society and why we must preserve the language, celebrate our culture and pass our rich heritage on to future generations.
"Yoruba is more than a language. It is part of our identity, history, values and what connects us as a community. While our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, preserving our indigenous languages is a responsibility we all share.
"Building a greater Lagos means investing not only in infrastructure and public services but also in our people, culture and values. We must work together to keep our heritage alive for generations to come.
"Masoyinbo is doing a wonderful job of preserving our heritage while keeping us informed and entertained, whether in Lagos or anywhere else in the world."
Discussion0