Conduct legislative business in Yoruba, Afenifere tells south-west states

Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has urged legislatures in south-west states to make Yoruba the primary language of conducting parliamentary business.

The organisation made the call during a caucus meeting held on April 7, at the Akure residence of Reuben Fasoranti, its leader.

The meeting, which was presided by Seinde Arogbofa, saw representatives from various state chapters, including Kogi and Kwara, in attendance.

Afenifere also asked governments in south-west states to make Yoruba the medium of teaching “at elementary levels of education”.

“Afenifere is very persistent on the need to ensure that Yoruba language is used more as a medium of communication,” the statement signed by Jare Ajayi, its national publicity secretary, reads.

“The body specifically called on Governments in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the medium of teaching at elementary levels of our education: kindergarten/nursery, primary and junior secondary schools.

“Afenifere also urged Legislatures in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the language of conducting their legislative businesses as much as possible.”

INSECURITY

The organisation also asked for a comprehensive redesign of Nigeria’s security architecture to respond to the escalating insecurity across the country.

Afenifere expressed serious concerns over the spate of kidnappings and extra-judicial killings, citing recent incidents in Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Anambra, Edo, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna.

The group urged the federal government and security agencies to delve deeper into the root causes of these security challenges and address them decisively.

The organisation implored governors in Yorubaland to strengthen the regional security network, particularly by increasing and training Amotekun personnel and deploying modern technology such as drones.

The group also reiterated its stance on the establishment of state police, calling for its immediate implementation.

Afenifere further urged state governors to address the issue of “unscrupulous herders terrorising farmers and disrupting agricultural activities”.

The group called on state governments to pay more attention to agriculture by revisiting and implementing policies on farm settlements and providing subsidised farm inputs and food items to the public.