BY Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

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The Traditional Religious Worshippers Association of Osun State has described language protection and preservation as the only way to engender societal value system.
Chief Fadare Ogunjimi, Araba-Awo of Ogbaagba in Olaoluwa Local Government area who spoke on behalf of the association disclosed this during a meeting.
This was disclosed during the Governor’s Family Meeting organized by the Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye at Idi-Ape Junction, Bode-Osi, Olaoluwa Local Government area of the state.
Ogunjimi said indigenous language of any given society has an inextricable link with its identity and moral values system, noting that such must be protected for societal development.
He also underscored the inestimable values embedded in Yoruba language as one ladden with Omoluabi virtues, ethos, and norms, urging well-meaning stakeholders in Yoruba land to strive towards reviving it to assume its original enviable status.
The Araba-Awo further attributed the series of social vices prevalent in the society of today and which are not in tandem with Yoruba culture, to the diminishing status of Yoruba language.
He reiterated that the old decorous value system of Yorubaland could only be redeemed if everyone gives premium to the language and not make it inferior to other foreign ones.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye who represented the Governor at the event, enumerated essence of language promotion in the process of ethical rebirth and value reorientation, stating the commitment of Oyetola’s administration to engendering cultural values for social stability and development.
He emphasised that Yoruba language like other indigenous language across world deserves its rightful place and recognition regardless of the adoption of foreign languages.
He noted that promotion of Yoruba language will serve as a catalyst for the advancement of culture, traditions and ethos the language encompasses as this would go a long way in preserving societal moral values.
He said that the administration of Oyetola would not relent in developing and protecting every aspect of the state culture which language is inclusive for the betterment of the society.