Value Yoruba Culture, Expert Urges Parents at Dingi Oodua Awards
By Exponent News, Akure — August 2, 2025
In a passionate call to preserve cultural heritage, a Yoruba language advocate has urged parents to prioritize speaking Yoruba to their children at home, warning that failure to do so may push the language towards extinction.
Speaking at the Dingi Oodua Search and Awards ceremony held at the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Hall, Akure, Mr. Oluseye Iyiade, a correspondent with Alaroye, a prominent Yoruba-language newspaper, emphasized the need for continuous use and preservation of Yoruba language and values within society.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Value of Something in Our Society,” Iyiade described the theme as timely and relevant, urging parents to ensure their children grow up with a strong sense of cultural identity. He stressed that no society progresses without appreciating its cultural heritage and the contributions of individuals towards its development.
“There’s no person who does not feel valued when appreciated for their contributions to society,” he said. “Appreciation encourages people to do more. When people are not recognized for their good deeds, it discourages them from future efforts. It’s like losing something vital from their being.”
He cited a Yoruba proverb that says, “Whosoever you do good to and refuses to show appreciation is like a thief who steals another’s property.” According to him, valuing those who contribute positively to the community fosters a culture of goodwill and continuous societal development.
Iyiade also appealed to schools and educational institutions to recognize students who excel academically, noting that such recognition motivates excellence. He further called on government authorities to honour past heroes whose sacrifices have shaped the nation’s progress.
“Appreciation is a hallmark of a cultured Yoruba person. A person who lacks the spirit of gratitude is not worthy of receiving good deeds,” Iyiade remarked, defining value as the act of expressing gratitude and recognizing the good works of individuals within society.
At the event, Mr. Oluseye Iyiade was honoured with a Media Professional Award by Dingi Oodua, a Yoruba newspaper and magazine, in recognition of his dedication to Yoruba language journalism and cultural advocacy.
