From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
it was celebration of culture, tradition and language as Ewa Ede, a programme designed to project the aesthetics of Yoruba, was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
The venue, June 12 Cultural Centre, was filled to capacity as culture enthusiasts, linguists, historians, traditional rulers and chiefs, graced the occasion to witness the celebration of Yoruba as a unique language.
As culture is the imprimatur that distinguishes a particular set of people from another and encapsulates their way of life, thus, Gbagede Ewa Ede Foundation, powered by Princess Adejoke Shomoye, has been championing the celebration of Yoruba cultural heritage.
Anchored by the quartet of Afeez Oyetoro (aka Simply Saka), Ibrahim Chatta, radio personality, Yinka Adegbite (a.k.a ‘Omo Baba Tisa) and actress Toyin Aimakhu, the programme saw many cultural troupes performing to the admiration of the audience.
The Kegite Club, Sango Dancers, Ogodo Egba Music Group, Art Beat Dancers and Yoruba cultural group of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, thrilled the audience with their scintillating performances. Also, a renowned drummer, Alhaji Adisa Ojubanire, left the audience enthralled as he used the popular Gangan drum to recite the national anthem.
In his opening remark, a historian, Professor Banji Akintoye, described Yoruba language as a globally revered language.
He disclosed that his 30 years sojourn in various universities in the US, had made him to witness how Yoruba language was cherished overseas, with many non-Africans studying it.
He noted that many languages in the world had gone into extinction, charging parents to allow and encourage their wards to learn and speak the language in order to preserve it. This, according to him is important, as research has shown that the language may go into extinction in the next 50 years, if people continue to use English as a language of communication.
The don informed the gathering that Yoruba linguists all over the world were working assiduously, to ensure Yoruba language was used to teach science and technology like the Hebrew, German and Chinese. Noting that any child who cannot speak Yoruba fluently cannot be eloquent in English language, Prof. Akintoye, lauded the promoter of Ewa Ede for envisioning such a laudable programme and picking up the gauntlets of preserving not only Yoruba language but its traditional values.
Delivering the lecture with the theme; “Inheritance of Colonialists: Curse or Blessing,” Oloye Lekan Alabi, recollected how the colonialists usurped the African cultural values. He stated that because of the administrative savvy of the ancient Yoruba kingdom, the imperialists could not tamper with the societal values they met on ground.
The Ibadan high chief, who said culture and tradition are like an umbrella, under which are language, food, dressing, song and faith, called on the people to reverse several nomenclatures given to them and urged them to be at the forefront of promoting Yoruba culture.
The highlight of the programme was the honouring of a renowned folklore personage, Jimi Solanke with the Ogun Ambassadorial, United Kingdom Award.
Promoter of the event, Ronke Shomoye, said her passion for the propagation of Yoruba culture and tradition, spurred her into founding Ewa Ede.
She added that apart from the annual event, she had finalised plans to take the event to overseas with the intention of propagating the uniqueness of Yoruba culture, tradition and values.