Scandinavian Schools Endorse The Teaching Of Yoruba Language In Classrooms

 
Scandinavian countries – Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland – have approved the teaching of Yoruba language in their schools. Yoruba is predominantly spoken in South West Nigeria, and neighboring Benin Republic, by more than 40 Million people.

The Scandinavia countries gave the approval late in 2014 but it was disclosed by Victor Mobolaji Adewale, the Sweden coordinator of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), during the Europe meeting of the Union which held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Adewale, who also emerged as the deputy coordinator of the group in Europe, said the approval followed the launch of the union in Sweden on November 29, 2014, which was attended by government officials from the Scandinavian countries who thereafter approved the teaching of Yoruba language in their schools.

He said the union also has the OPU radio functioning in the Scandinavian countries, using it as a medium of popularising the Yoruba language and reaching out to people of like minds. “We are happy to report that the Yoruba language has got the approval of the authorities for it to be taught in schools in the Scandinavian countries. It is a major breakthrough for us in popularizing our mother tongue. We look forward to doing more,” Adewale said.
Otunba Gani Adams, convener of the OPU and National coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), who expressed happiness at the development, said one of the reasons for the summit was capacity building. Adams advised the Europe chapters of the OPU to be aggressive in expanding their coasts by establishing more chapters.
He said the duty and responsibility of the European chapter should be to cover 25 countries out of the 28 in Europe.

He said the OPU can use Europe as a base to mobilise others.
Adams said at the meeting that OPU was now present in 56 countries, adding: “Protecting the image of Nigeria is important. Liaise with the embassies, the Missions of Nigeria in all the countries where you are based. They are the representatives of Nigeria out here.” Adams also implored the members of the OPU to operate with singleness of purpose, adding: “If there is no unity, nothing can be achieved. We are building the OPU for the benefit of the Yoruba. We will soon expand strongly in America.”