Group warns against declining use of Yoruba among youths

The Association of Gospel African Languages Interpreters has raised concerns over the declining use of Yoruba and other African languages among young people.

The association expressed the concern on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the launch of ACT-YOUNG, an indigenous-language discipleship initiative designed to promote the use of African languages among the younger generation.

Speaking at the event, a trustee of the association, Rev Olu Otunuga, said the project was “part of efforts to counter the declining use of Yoruba and other African languages among younger generations.”

Otunuga, a theologian, writer and author of the ACT-YOUNG book, said concerns over the vulnerability of Yoruba and other African languages had influenced the initiative.

He said the concern was particularly relevant “as increasing numbers of parents discourage children from speaking their mother tongues.”

Otunuga urged parents to encourage their children to speak Yoruba, saying his interest in indigenous-language ministry “was nurtured from childhood and developed through my years as a student journalist and writer.”

The initiative was launched alongside an African Mother Tongue Praise Celebration and an award ceremony.

The Founder/Rector of Abraham Bible College and Chief Host of the event, Prophet Dr Oyekunle Oyetayo, said interpreters played “an important component of gospel ministry.”

He said, “effective interpretation should not be viewed solely through the lens of academic qualifications or intellectual ability, but also as a special grace for communicating the gospel across linguistic and cultural boundaries.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Deacon Lola Odumosu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Hosmedic Nigeria Ltd, said there was a need to institutionalise mother-tongue gospel interpretation.

According to him, “strengthening indigenous-language ministry can contribute to both nation-building and the preservation of cultural heritage.”

The Chief Launcher, Chief Lawrence Owoyemi, urged parents to stop discouraging their children from speaking their mother tongue.

He said, “the preservation of indigenous languages begins in the home, where children first encounter language, culture and identity.”

A reviewer of the ACT-YOUNG book, Dolapo Adenuga, said the publication could be useful beyond religious settings, describing it as “an educational manual with potential application beyond church settings.”

Adenuga said its discussion of intellectual development, including “early development, experience, interaction, observation, practice and discovery,” reflected contemporary approaches to learning.

He added that the book could have “practical value in bilingual literacy and discipleship, including the use of the King James Version (KJV) alongside the Bibeli Mimo.”

Meanwhile, Otunuga said the book developed from what “initially appeared to be a modest undertaking” after his exposure to literature and discussions on the decline of African languages.

He said the initial materials were expanded following consultations with writers and other contributors, “transforming the concept into a textbook intended to serve future generations.”

The event also featured the presentation of the Gospel Interpreters Meritorious Service Award to DST Anifat Abiodun Bello, a retired traffic officer who served at the NNPC Junction near the entrance of the National Open University of Nigeria, Abeokuta.

AGALI said Bello’s service reflected “practical Christian witness outside the church,” citing her punctuality, discipline, integrity, cheerfulness, human relations and commitment to duty.

The award citation described her former traffic post as “a place where Christian character was demonstrated without a microphone,” adding that gospel values should be reflected in workplaces and public spaces.

Other recipients included Pastor Dr Festus Olatoye Oyedeji, Rev Oye Ransome Oluwawemimo, Minister Akanbi Taiwo Oluwatosin, Pastor Obasa Julius, Evangelist Oyetayo Kehinde, Pastor/Mrs Amos Ibironke, Pastor/Mrs Bolaji Bosede and Pastor/Mrs Ogunsola Folashade.

The organisers said a youth Bible quiz was also held as part of the pilot initiative to demonstrate the use of indigenous languages in engaging young people with Scripture.

They said the programme would be extended to Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa, with two winners from each zone advancing to a state finale.