Culture & Mother Tongue: Parents Should Be Involved to Save Rich Culture from Extinction – Mrs. Omotosho
Mrs. Lydia Ronke Omotosho, the Principal of Adegbola Memorial Grammar School in Akure, has called for the active involvement of parents in preserving the rich culture and mother tongue of the various people and tribes.
In a passionate address, Mrs. Omotosho emphasized that parents play a pivotal role in passing down cultural values and traditions to the younger generation and warned that without the active participation of parents, the distinctiveness of the Yoruba culture and language could face the threat of extinction.
While speaking to journalists in her office on 25th of February, to commemorate World Mother’s Tongue Day, Mrs. Omotosho expressed concern over the gradual decline in the use of indigenous languages and cultural practices among the youth. She pointed out that the rapid influence of globalization and modernity has led to a disconnect between the younger generation and their cultural roots. According to her, this disconnect could result in the erosion of the language and values that define the Yoruba and other people.
Mrs. Omotosho urged parents to be more intentional in teaching their children their native language and cultural norms at home and emphasized that language is not just a means of communication, but a fundamental part of identity and a bridge to understanding the history, traditions, and wisdom of their ancestors.
She advised that parents should make concerted efforts to speak the Yoruba language to their children, tell them stories, and encourage them to participate in cultural activities, thereby ensuring that their children remain connected to their heritage.
Mrs. Omotosho also called on schools to collaborate with parents in the efforts to preserve cultural values. She acknowledged that schools have a responsibility to instill cultural awareness in students, but emphasized that these efforts should be reinforced at home.
She highlighted that cultural education should go beyond the classroom and be deeply rooted in the community, where both parents and schools can work together to foster a strong sense of pride in their cultural heritage.
Mrs. Omotosho urged both parents and educators to rise to the occasion and take proactive steps in safeguarding the Yoruba culture and mother tongue for future generations.
She expressed optimism that with collective effort and determination, the rich cultural legacy of the Yoruba people would not only survive but thrive, contributing to the global appreciation of Nigeria’s diverse heritage. She called on all stakeholders to take this responsibility seriously, as the future of the culture depends on it.