The Lagos State House Assembly on Tuesday asked the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to appear before it over its refusal to add Yoruba to languages it uses for announcements and instructions in its train service.
The House noted the importance of Yoruba language for passing information to passengers on the trains since it would help some of them, especially new users, easily understand what to do.
The House further noted that since 2017 when the bill on compulsory teaching of Yoruba Language in schools was passed, the State had made conscious efforts to encourage the use of the language in public places adding that this should be sustained.
It, therefore, invited LAMATA to appear and explain the reasons behind its refusal to adopt the use of the language.
The lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Environment to commence immediate clearing of drainage channels and canals across the State.
Hon. Kehinde Joseph representing Alimosho Constituency 2 raised the issue under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ at plenary.
According to him, heavy rains in the State as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET) have damaged some houses in his constituency while some buildings have been submerged by flood with properties destroyed.
The lawmaker complained of blocked drainage channels and canals, saying there was need for the Ministry of Environment to act urgently while the Ministry of Information should carry out sensitisation of Lagosians to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
In his contribution, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2 said flooding in the State was as a result of climate change and rise in the sea level.
Hon. Temitope Adewale representing one of the constituencies of Ifako Ijaiye suggested the reintroduction of environmental sanitation to make residents clear their gutters.
Hon. Ladi Ajomale said flooding in his constituency was disheartening, while Hon. Rasheed Shabi said there was need for a stringent policy to be put in place.
He tasked Local Government chairman to take the responsibility of clearing and fumigating the drainages in their areas.
Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, who presided over the plenary, urged the relevant agencies to expedite action. She also called on each of the Local Governments to do the needful while LAWMA should be ready to play its role.
Meanwhile, the House confirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominee, Tolani Akibu, whose name was initially stepped down by the lawmakers.
Before the latest move by the House of Assembly, the Yoruba self determination group, Apapo O’odua Koya, (AOKOYA) in a statement on Tuesday said the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu should introduce the use of Yoruba language plus English for the Blue Line users.
“Leaders should have a deep sense of history. You cannot lay claim to Lagos as a Yoruba city when you allow others to tell your story to the world. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo would never have made such a mistake,” AOKOYA said in a statement signed by its official, Ahmed Akorede.
The group said the 21st century is about identity, about culture, about values and about heritage.
“Lagos has no fewer than 18million Yoruba people. Lagos is a Yoruba indigenous city dating back to the 9th century. The first settlers were Awori and today we have Egba, Ijebu, Owu and Ijesa settlements across Lagos. The Government has the responsibility to protect the heritage of the city and its indigenous people.”
AOKOYA said if the State Government can adopt English, a foreign language and an instrument of slavery and colonialism, it is unwise not to adopt Yoruba language as a means of broadcast apart from the use of English.
The group said “Political leaders deliberately undermine their own people, they trample on the indigenous knowledge and culture of the people and at the same time they claim ignorance of global best practices. Sanwo Olu has suddenly forgotten how he nearly lost Lagos because of his futile attempts to build a Lagos that has no history and no past.
The group said what Sanwo Olu has done is not surprising given his lack of understanding of the socio-political and cultural context for power in Nigeria and across the world.
“In Quebec, it is mandatory for workers in factories to speak French. In some companies in Quebec, you won’t get a job unless you can speak French eventhough Canada is English speaking. That is moral and cultural responsibility. When a people lose their language, they lose everything that makes their history, their being and essence.
AOKOYA said Sanwo-Olu should learn from traditional rulers in the North who do not use English to communicate with their people. He should learn from Ibom Air where the first means of in-house announcement is rendered in Ibibio language.
“People who are not proud of their heritage can never be good leaders. Thay are strangers on the seat of power. You cannot claim Lagos is Yoruba when you pull down and destroy the city’s Yoruba culture and heritage,” AOKOYA said.
