Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde
The Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde has introduced a free online Yoruba language and culture lessons for Diasporans to develop the ancestral cultural heritage of the Yoruba race.
The language lessons which was introduced through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant, SSA to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs with the full support of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is set to make a debut on Friday, September 11 at 6 pm and will be aired every subsequent Friday.
It was gathered that the culture lessons will equally be relayed every Sunday beginning from the 13th of September at 6 pm and both lessons will be available online via @oyostatediasporans on Facebook and Instagram.
The SSA Diaspora, Bolanle Sarumi said the programme will be of benefit to the State by promoting tourism, bringing in more investments and be of great benefits to the Diasporans from Oyo State.
According to the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Administration, Reverend Idowu Ogedengbe, the initiative is another laudable and commendable stride of Governor Makinde.
Reverend Idowu said the effort will go a long way in teaching Nigerians living abroad, particularly children and youth, the Yoruba language and culture, as well as serving to inspire them to come back to their origin.
The programme is also expected to stem the spate of emigration by our teeming youths as they see the effect of these lessons on other Nigerian youths based in foreign countries.
The Director-General of the Oyo State Gaming Board, Mr Jide Boladuro emphasized the need for people to key into the initiative towards understanding the Yoruba language via the online platform.
The Special Adviser to Governor of Tourism Hon Akeem Ige implored the citizens of Oyo State in the Diaspora to key into this complimentary and highly educative programme from the Oyo State Government.