Communique issued at the 50th YSAN National conference in Ibadan

 COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 50TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE YORÙBÁ STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA HELD IN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN BETWEEN 11TH AND 15TH OCTOBER, 2021

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PreambleYorùbá Studies Association of Nigeria, the highest professional academic body which consists of scholars, researchers, writers, broadcasters, chanters, lovers and users of the Yorùbá language at home and abroad, was established in 1970.

 The year 2021 National Conference had as its theme: “Yorùbá Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’. 

The Conference was graced by illustrious sons and daughters, and eminent personalities such as His Imperial Majesty, the Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́, Ikú Bàbá Yèyé, Ọba Làmídì Adéyẹmi III; the Ààrẹ-Ọ̀nà Kakaǹfò of Yorùbá land, Iba Gàní Abíọ́dún Ìgè Adams, Professors, academics, religion icons, culture activists, media practitioners, students etc. 

The following resolutions were made:

 Yorùbá strength and power lie in their traditional belief, thus they should go back to the root. To actualise this, elders, politicians, governors, parents, all and sundry should make concerted efforts to take the language and culture to their el-dorado.

Restructuring is one of the best measures that can save Nigeria from imminent collapse.

The Yorùbá people should arm and guard themselves with their historical past, study their environment, and safe guard their heritage.

 The universities should modify the entry requirements for Yorùbá language studies by not making a credit pass in Mathematics a compulsory requirement for candidates seeking admission to study Yorùbá in all our tertiary institutions.

Yorùbá language should be made a compulsory course at the level of General Studies (GNS) in all tertiary institutions in the South West, Nigeria as the Lagos State government had taken lead. This is crucial to strengthen the overall socio-cultural and economic development of Yoruba land and Nigeria in general as operated in advanced economies.

Indigenous vocational skills should be encouraged and incorporated into school curriculum in order to make students self-reliant.A credit pass in Yorùbá language should be made compulsory for admission of students into the higher institutions in the South West, Nigeria. 

Teaching and learning of Yorùbá language should be made pleasant and inviting in order to enhance students’ enrolment in our Tertiary institutions.

The use of Yorùbá language for communication should be emphasised and encouraged at home, schools, markets, worship places, formal and informal settings by the old and the young.

The plenary sessions of the Houses of Assembly in the South West, Nigeria should be conducted, at least for one day in a week, in Yorùbá language. The Lagos State House of Assembly is highly commended for blazing the trail.