Norway, Other Scandinavian Countries Approves Yoruba Language Teaching In Their Schools
The countries that make up the Scandinavian have approved the teaching of Yoruba language in their schools. The Scandinavia, made up of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, gave the approval late in 2014.
This revelation was made on Saturday by the Sweden Coordinator of the Oodua Progressive Union, Victor Mobolaji Adewale, during the Europe meeting of the Union held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Adewale, who also emerged as the Deputy Coordinator of the body in Europe, said the approval followed the well attended launch of the Union in Sweden on November 29, 2014.
He said it was attended by government officials from the Scandinavian countries who thereafter okayed the teaching of Yoruba language in their schools.
He said the Union also has the OPU radio functioning in the Scandinavian countries, using it as a medium of popularising the Yoruba language and reaching out to people of like minds.
“We are happy to report that the Yoruba language has got the approval of the authorities for it to be taught in schools in the Scandinavian countries. It is a major breakthrough for us in popularising our mother tongue,” he said.
The Convener of the OPU and National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, who expressed happiness at the development, said one of the reasons for the summit was capacity building.
He advised the Europe chapters of the OPU to be aggressive in expanding their coasts by building more chapters – and should aim towards covering 25 countries out of the 28 in Europe. Adams added that OPU was now present in 56 countries and urged the group to collaborate with the Nigerian embassies in the various countries.
“Protecting the image of Nigeria is important. Liaise with the embassies, the Missions of Nigeria in all the countries where you are based. They are the representatives of Nigeria out here,” he said.
The Publisher of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo, delivered a lecture on: “Leadership and the Nigerian challenge.”
Akinadewo admonished members of the OPU to develop leadership capacity in order to run a truly strong organisation.
Among those who attended the meeting was the paramount ruler of Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun.
One of the major highlights of the meeting was the emergence of the executive members of the Europe chapter. The Coordinator of the chapter is Akogun Banjo Ojo.
