Mother’s Tongue Day: Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School Akure Is Promoting Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage – Dr. Ojoge
The Principal of Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, Ambassador (Dr.) Mrs. Temitope Omobola Ojoge, has shared her ongoing efforts to preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and indigenous languages among the students in the school.
In a recent interview with journalists in her office, Dr. Ojoge highlighted the school’s commitment to sustaining the diverse cultural traditions and languages of Nigeria, particularly through the observance of the 2025 World Mother Tongue Day.
Dr. Omobola Ojoejo emphasized the deep connection between language and culture, expressing concern over the gradual fading of both. Reflecting on her school’s initiatives, she recalled how, several years ago, she made it compulsory for teachers and students to speak Yoruba every Friday, both in casual conversation and during lessons.
“There is no way you can talk about the mother tongue without mentioning our culture,” she said.
She pointed to a striking comparison she made recently, showing a photograph of Miss Nigeria from 1957, who wore traditional Yoruba attire, and that of Miss Nigeria 2024, who appeared in an outfit that left much of her body exposed. This, she noted, illustrates the cultural shifts that have occurred over the years.
The event commemorating World Mother Tongue Day at Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School was a vibrant display of cultural pride, as students showcased their exceptional skills in cultural performances. The students not only celebrated the richness of their own Yoruba heritage but also taught the gathering various indigenous dialects, highlighting Nigeria’s vast cultural diversity. The celebration was filled with joy, as it underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions while celebrating the beauty of linguistic diversity.
On the role of parents, Dr. Ojoge stressed the importance of collaboration between home and school in nurturing cultural awareness. She explained that, given that students spend a significant portion of their time at home, parents must complement the efforts made at school to safeguard cultural values.
Dr. Ojoge called for parents to set good examples for their children, noting that some young parents dress inappropriately when visiting the school, exposing parts of their bodies that should remain private. She shared that the school had sometimes had to ask such parents to return home and dress appropriately before re-entering the school premises.
In conclusion, the multiple awards winning principal, (Dr. Temitope Ojoge) urged the present generation to take responsibility for preserving the cultural norms, values, and virtues passed down by previous generations. She reminded the audience that as the older generation gradually exits the stage, it is imperative that the younger generation steps up to keep these traditions alive. “We cannot afford to let everything slip away,” she said, reinforcing the collective responsibility to protect and nurture Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.