It was all about the Yoruba Heritage, from the language, to the artistry, outfits and rich culture as the Yoruba Education Students Association of Nigeria (YESAN), University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, rolled out the drums for its annual YESAN Day.
The Glass House, Faculty of Education, UNILAG, was the place to be for several hours on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 as Yoruba Education students across all levels of learning, converged for the annual YESAN Day celebration which has, over the years, served as a platform to promote the study and preservation of Yoruba language and culture.
Associate Professor, Department of Yoruba Education, Dr. Elizabeth Banjo set the tone for the celebration with her opening remarks. She spoke glowingly about the distinctive qualities which makes Yoruba language and culture stand out among others.
While warning against the effects of the continuous adoption of foreign languages and cultures at the expense of Yoruba language, Dr Banjo stressed the need for every Yoruba indigene and educator to fully embrace the language and culture.
Highpoint of the YESAN Day Celebration was a lecture titled The Advancement of Yoruba Language and the Impact of Technology on Yoruba Language which was delivered by a Professor of Linguistics and Yorùbá Language, Professor Oladipo Ajiboye.
Prof Ajiboye said Yoruba language has served its purpose beyond communication by being a strong vehicle for identity, promotion and preservation of values.
While discussing the phases of growth which Yoruba language has been through over the decades, Prof. Ajiboye specially applauded the Lagos State House of Assembly for blazing the trail as the first parliament to dedicate a day of the week for the use of Yoruba language for all its proceedings. He charged other state parliaments to emulate this feat.
The Professor of Linguistics and Yorùbá Language disputed claims that Yoruba language could go into extinction and advocated for the Language to be adopted as a General Studies course in all ivory towers.
Speaking on the impact of technology on the learning and usage of Yoruba language especially with pretext and speech-to-text applications obtainable on different devices, Prof. Ajiboye recommended further adoption of Yoruba for all communication purposes and coinage of new words for enrichment purposes.
The YESAN Day celebration featured a Quiz competition among students from Mobolaji Bank Anthony Junior High School, Albert Macaulay Junior High School, Onike Girls Junior High School, Ade Comprehensive Junior High School and Akoka Junior High School.
The quiz tested the contestants’ knowledge of the Yoruba traditional institution, numbers, indigenous names and proverbs.
At the end of the competition, Onike Girls’ Junior High School emerged winner with thirteen (13) points and smiled home with the star prize.
Other activities at the 2025 YESAN Day event included cultural performances and fun activities in the spirit of promoting Yoruba Culture.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Samuel Dosumu
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Clap clap 👏