By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
The Ogun State chapter of the Transformative Governance Forum has urged the state government to integrate traditional studies into the school curriculum as part of efforts to preserve Yoruba culture and values among future generations.
The call was made by the State Director of the Forum, Olajide Oladipupo Ogunmokun, in his goodwill message to mark the annual Isese Day celebration on Wednesday.
Oladipupo Ogunmokun expressed concern that many Yoruba children are gradually losing touch with their cultural roots and identity due to limited exposure to indigenous knowledge in formal education.
“It is worrisome that a good number of our children can no longer communicate effectively in Yoruba, nor do they understand the depth of our traditions,” he said. “If care is not taken, the next generation will completely abandon the values that make us who we are. This is why we are calling on the Ogun State Government to include traditional studies in the school curriculum.”
He explained that such inclusion would give children a balanced understanding of both modern and indigenous knowledge, enabling them to appreciate their identity while upholding the values of respect, unity, and moral uprightness deeply rooted in Yoruba traditions.
The Forum’s Director also stressed that cultural education is a crucial tool for nation building, warning that societies that neglect their heritage often lose their sense of direction.
He therefore appealed to the government to urgently adopt cultural education as policy, while calling on parents, community leaders, and policymakers to collaborate in promoting Yoruba identity and cultural awareness among the younger generation.
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