Oyo state Assembly holds historic Yoruba-language plenary, pushes for cultural preservation

The Oyo House of Assembly on Wednesday conducted its entire plenary session in Yoruba, under the theme “Yoruba Ponbele”.

The session was presided over by Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, who described the experience as the greatest honour of his legislative career.

As part of the session, lawmakers advanced the 2025 Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Bill, which aims to make the teaching and speaking of Yoruba compulsory in all private and public schools across the state.

A statement on Ogundoyin’s official X handle, on Wednesday, May 14 reads:

“Today, I had the greatest honor of presiding over today’s plenary session conducted entirely in Yoruba language tagged “Yoruba Ponbele”

“As a proud Yoruba son, I was delighted to co-sponsor the 2025 Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Bill, a critical step towards making Yoruba language teaching and speaking compulsory in all private and public schools across Oyo State.

“Our language is not just a means of communication; it is a vessel of wisdom, history, and collective identity—and we must ensure its survival for generations to come.

“We also moved a motion calling the State Government to recognize and honor legendary Yoruba actor, Chief Lere Paimo (Eda Onile Ola) for his tremendous contributions to Yoruba theatre, storytelling, and cultural preservation.

“Chief Lere Paimo, alongside other icons, have ensured that our traditions and moral values remain alive through performance arts, and it is time we celebrate their impacts.

“Additionally, we addressed a pressing security concern by calling on the Executive arm of Government to strengthen security in Oyo town and other communities to combat the rising waves of kidnapping for ransom.

“Our people deserve peace and protection, and we are committed to ensuring policies that safeguard lives and property across the state.” [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>