We"ll continue to promote Yoruba culture through Inter-schools quiz- Dr. Faniyi Fashola

We"ll continue to promote Yoruba culture through Inter-schools quiz- Dr. Faniyi Fashola

Owode Grammar School, Owode-Ota scored a total of 50 points to emerge winners of this year's interschool Yoruba Quiz Competition while 2nd and 3rd position go to  Iju Ebiye Grammar School and Atan Commercial School respectively.

The founder,  Araba of Ota,  Dr. Oluwo Fashola made this declaration at the event  organised by the Ancestral Pride Foundation ( APF) in collaboration with the 'Egbe Akomolede Ati Asa Yoruba', a sociocultural group, held on Wednesday at the Iganmode Senior Grammar School, Ota, Ogun State

According to him"In a bid to promote and preserve yoruba culture and traditions, Ancestral Pride Foundation founded by myself Oluwo (Dr) Fasola Faniyi Babatunde - Araba otta with members in Nigeria and diaspora took it upon ourselves to change the mindset of our children/people and to show the importance of Yoruba language and Culture by organizing the 2nd Edition of Yoruba Quiz Competition 2023 for all secondary school in Ado-Odo/Ota".

Dr. Faniyi added that even foreigners now learn the Yoruba culture in their Higher institutions, wondering why the owners of the culture are not promoting it. 

"I thank ifa and Olodumare for the success of this project and I appreciate all special guest from his Royal majesty Oba, ancient and paramount ruler of Ota, Awori Kingdom Oba Prof. Adeyemi Obalanlege (Olota of Ota) highly represented by High Chief Adeniji (Odota of Ota) , Hrm Oba Abdul Wasiu Ogungbayi (Onitetiku of Tetiku, Owode-Ota) who happens to be our grand patron and Hrm Oba Olusegun Akinyemi (Ajana of Ota) and CO of Nigeria Navy School of Music, Ota Lieutenant Olaiya, Hon. Kola Salako for sending delegate and other special guest such Egbe Akomolede in Ado-odo/Ota. In support I appreciate my mum, wife, children, Ashonibare, Akin, Kunle and other members at large. We pledge to do more in our own effort to promote Yoruba culture and heritage. I am so glad for the opportunity by Olodumare. We wish to extend this competition in the nearest future to state level and country soon, May Olodumare help us. Ase'ntedumare," Oluwo Fashola sir.

Oba Prof. Adeyemi Abdul Kabir Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun ll, the Olota of Ota, Awori Kingdom ably represented by Onitetiku of Tetiku, Owode Ota, Oba Dr. Abdulwasiu Ogungbayi, speaking at the competition said the need to promote  Yoruba culture cannot be overemphasized to stem the declining interest of the emerging generation in the culture in all ramifications emphasising that Yoruba culture constitues all of its clothings, food, language, music, traditional worships, marriage, greetings and associate practices.

He called on well meaning individuals, organisations and government at levels to inculcate and integrate cultural values in governance because it holds a strong influence on the people and the society, ascribing social vices; like kidnapping, thuggery, landgrabbing, armed robbery and others to the neglect of our culture.

He said, “The ability to go back and embrace our culture will lessen juvenile delinquencies corruption, kidnapping and others social vices to be reduced to the barest minimum in the country,” he added.

Mrs. Iretiolu Solaja, the Vice Principal of Anglican Grammar School, Ota and the erstwhile State Secretary 'Egbe Akomolede Ati Asa Yoruba' Sociocultural group said, "it is commendable that the Ancestral Pride Foundation is coming with this type of competition just as it is organised to improve Mathematics, English and other subjects so will this competition improve the proficiency of the Yoruba language among our students."

In her submission, Mrs Sekinat Awoniran, Secretary of the Yewa/Awori Area of the Sociocultural group, asserted that the competition is actually organised stir up Yoruba speaking potentials of the students with the aim to foster efficiency of the Yoruba language.

She said, "The quiz questions were asked along with what is covered in the WAEC syllabus and adequate preparations have been made to enhance quality performance not only in the competion but in the coming WAEC exams.

Mr. Oyetola Rotimi, a member of the Event's  Planning Committee explained that the 16 Schools invited were drawn from each of the four different zones that Ota was divided into to give balanced representation.

The other participating Schools with their scores include: Iju Ebiye High School, Iju-Ota came 2nd with 45 points; Local Government Senior Secondary School - 43 points; Iganmode Grammar School Ota - 42 points; Ajogbo Grammar School, Ajibode - 20 points; Anglican Grammar School, Ota - 30 points; St Michael High School, Ota - 35 points; AUD Comprehensive High School, Lafenwa - 30 points.

Others are: African Church Grammar School, Ewupe ACCCS -42 points;

Sango-Ota High School Sango - 30; and AUD Comprehensive College, Ota - 20

Some of the dignitaries at the competition include:  Chief (Mrs) Fashola; Chief (Mrs) Ifaronke Fashola; Odota of Ota, Awori Kingdom, Hon. Chief Oladele Adeniji; HRH Oba Clement Olusegun  Akinyemi (Ajana of Ijana, Ota); Lt. Comdr. Olaife Olaiya (Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy School of Music, Ota).