On Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode O. Adebowale, said it gives him delight to know that the Yoruba language is being spoken globally. This, he said, gives the native speakers hope that the language will not die.
He made this statement when he received eight Fulbright scholars from Howard University, Washington DC, the United States of America, who are at the Yoruba Language Centre (YLC) at the University of Ibadan to learn the Yoruba language and culture during a courtesy visit to his office.
“I am very excited about the Yoruba language. It is my language! When you hear the language being spoken globally, it gives us a lot of hope that there is no way that this language will die” he said.
Prof. Adebowale lamented that some native speakers refuse to speak the language but speak English fluently. But since “there are people that are not even of Yoruba origin that can speak the language”, it gives one hope that the Yoruba language will not go into extinction.”
The VC, therefore, welcome the Fulbright scholars and encourages them to make good use of the rich programme to be equipped with relevant information as regards the Yoruba language and culture.
He told the Director of YLC to attach them only to families that will make them know the language within a short time.
The American Director of the Fulbright Grant, Dr Bayo Omolola from the Department of World Languages and Culture, Howard University, Washington DC, United States, said he always speaks the Yoruba language with joy.
He thanked the University of Ibadan management for the warm reception and the peaceful atmosphere on campus.
Dr Omolola noted that the 8 scholars were from different universities in the United States of America under the umbrella of Howard University, Washington DC and sponsored by the University of America Fulbright Grant.
The Director of the Yoruba Language Centre of the University of Ibadan, Prof. P. A. Ogundeji, said the Fulbright scholars were supposed to be thirteen (13) but were reduced to eight (8) because of the state of insecurity in Nigeria.
The eight Fulbright scholars are Ms Taylor Ajewole Duckett, Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington; Ms Yewande Omolola Addie, Department of Mass Communication, University of Florida; Mr Tajudeen Bioku, Department of African Studies and Research Program, Howard University, Washington DC; Mr Joshua Kerobo, Department of Musicology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Mr Muyiwa Aseda, Department of African Studies, Howard University, Washington DC; Ms Barinaale Ovbe, Department of Economics, Howard University, Washington DC; Mr Aderinola Lawal, Department of Computer Science, New York University; and Ms Deborah A. Ogunmodede, Department of Yoruba, University of Florida.
Present during the visit were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. E. O. Ayoola; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Aderonke M. Baiyeroju; Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. I. A. Abiona; Deputy Dean of Students Affairs, Dr D. Lewis; Deputy Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Mrs Morenike Afolabi.
