Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye, a member representing Ikorodu constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly has urged his constituents to promote and preserve Yoruba language from going into extinction.
Ogunleye made the plea during the celebration of his 50th birthday anniversary at the Constituency office in Ebute area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
The lawmaker empowered no fewer than 70 women mostly leaders of each ward with N50, 000 cash to enhance their businesses in commemoration of his birthday.
In caring for the indigents Ogunleye also visited Chloe Orphanage home to donate food items like; bags of beans, Garri, insecticides and beverages like Bournvita, indomie Noodles, Custard, Milk among other items worth N5m.
Ogunleye (APC-Ikorodu 1) expressed his worries over the loss of Yoruba values such as respect, greetings, way of dressing, native songs, names and others that once distinguished the region.
“Today, Yoruba language is facing a serious challenge to the extent that the coming generation is at a loss in the rudiments of their mother tongue.
“There is an urgent need to promote and preserve yoruba language because it teaches good morals.
“It teaches our children to be respectful to elders while English does not, so it is imperative to protect and promote it,” he said.
Ogunleye, who Chairs the House Committee on overseas investment and Susutainable Development Goals (SDG) said that the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) has mandated usage of Yoruba language at the plenary every Thursdays.
He expresses gratitude to members of his constituency for their support and promised to make laws that would impact lives of Ikorodu resident positively.
In his remarks, Mr Japhet Odesanya, a political leader, commended the lawmaker for his generosity, kind heartedness to the women and the orphanage home, as he urged the beneficiaries to use the cash judiciously.
Japhet, express gratitude to the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Rt Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, for reviving Yoruba language and ensuring its acceptability as a language used at the floor of the house to make laws and all legislative matters.
“This gesture could have been channelled to jamboree, but he chooses to give it to the needy, that exemplify the type of lawmaker the society wants.
“As regards the language, Yoruba should be retooled and redefined because it has been taking away from us by colonialist,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Olukemi Olukoya, the Chief Executive Officer of the Orphanage home appreciates the lawmaker kind gesture while wishing him more glorious years ahead.
She however, called on other well meaning philanthropist to emulate the gesture.
Earlier, Mrs Folasade Oloko, woman leader and beneficiary from Ikorodu North, express gratitude on the cash empowerment and advised beneficiaries to use to empower themselves.
