By Maria Famakinwa
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Parents have been urged to speak their native languages to their children in order to prevent language extinction.
This advice was given by Prof Joshua Ogunwale of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile -Ife during the Investiture Ceremony of Dr Felix Soledayo Olawoye, Provost Ondo State College of Health Technology, Akure as the SouthWest Nigeria Most Outstanding Provost /Monotechnic Man of the year 2018 by the Yoruba Redemption Foundation.
Prof Ogunwale a guest lecturer at the occasion who spoke majorly in Yoruba dialect observed that most of today’s children cannot speak their native languages because their parents did not encourage them to do so. He further appealed to parents not to allow our culture to die as mother tongues play important role in preserving our culture.
He also stressed the need of good character in shaping human’s life.
“It is compulsory for everyone to do good and be of good character no matter your achievements, if you are living in a mansion but lack good character, it is your unfriendly attitude that will pull down the mansion. Even, if you are not beautiful but of good character, your good character makes you beautiful.”
The Don explained further that some of the characteristics of good character include: truthfulness, humility, respectful among others.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Health in Ondo State, Dr Wahab Adegbenro described the recipient of the award as a humble and respectful man who is simple and said that he truly deserves the award.”I am not surprised that Dr Olawoye is being honoured with this award because he is a very humble and hard working man. I will advise you to see this as a call to service.”
The Commissioner for Health also advised that we should improve on our Yoruba dialect and communicate with our children in our dialects to avoid Yoruba language extinction.
In his speech, Dr Joshua Olawoye who said that he was humbled by the award because he never believed he deserves it thanked everyone especially the Commissioner for Health for gracing the occasion as he promised not to let the people down.
