Oyo Assembly Holds Historic Yoruba-Language Plenary, Moves to Preserve Culture and Tackle Insecurity

Summary

• Oyo Assembly holds its first-ever full plenary session in Yoruba, tagged “Yoruba Ponbele.”
• Lawmakers advance bill to make Yoruba language compulsory in schools across the state.
• Motion passed to honor legendary actor Chief Lere Paimo and call for stronger security in Oyo communities.

Ibadan, Nigera – In a landmark move to preserve cultural heritage, the Oyo State House of Assembly held its plenary session entirely in Yoruba language for the first time, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.

The session, titled “Yoruba Ponbele,” also saw the co-sponsorship of the 2025 Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Bill.

The bill seeks to make Yoruba language instruction and use compulsory in all private and public schools across the state—a legislative effort aimed at preserving the identity, wisdom, and traditions rooted in the language.

“Our language is not just a means of communication; it is a vessel of wisdom, history, and collective identity—and we must ensure its survival for generations to come,” Speaker Ogundoyin declared.

The Assembly also passed a motion urging the Oyo State Government to formally recognize Chief Lere Paimo, widely known as Eda Onile Ola, for his lifetime contributions to Yoruba theatre, storytelling, and cultural conservation.

In addition to cultural matters, the plenary addressed a growing security concern, calling on the Executive arm of government to intensify efforts to combat kidnapping for ransom in Oyo town and surrounding communities.

“We are committed to ensuring policies that safeguard lives and property across the state,” the Speaker affirmed, emphasizing the Assembly’s role in both cultural advocacy and citizen protection.