http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2009012923365859

By Kemi Obasola
Published: Thursday, 29 Jan 2009
As the Lagos State House of Assembly resumes from its one month recess next Monday, measures have been put in place for the adoption of Yoruba as a second language in the conduct of its legislative business.

Already, verbatim reporters of the assembly have visited the Ogun State House of Assembly to observe how proceedings are conducted in Yoruba.

In an interview, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Kolawole Taiwo, said Yoruba would be used as a language of communication every Thursday, while a series of workshops would be held for the lawmakers and the staff of the assembly on legislating in Yoruba.

The facilitators of the workshops, he said, would come from the University of Lagos.

Taiwo said, ”We are all of Yoruba stock, therefore, we should be proud to legislate in Yoruba. We have graduates of Yoruba in the Assembly and all resources inherent in these people will be harnessed to aid this development.”

The Assembly had resolved on July 14, 2008 to adopt the use of Yoruba Language in addition to English in the conduct of legislative business.

Its members had also called on the leadership of the House to set in motion the necessary machinery and procure other supportive equipment for its implementation.

The resolution was adopted sequel to a letter written by an Associate Professor at the University of Lagos, Dr. Ohiri Anuche, urging the house to conduct legislative business in Yoruba.

This, according to her would enhance the participation of the people at the grass roots in governance.

In adopting the resolution, the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Funmilayo Tejuosho, had said, ”Section 97 of the Constitution empowers Legislative Houses to conduct business in English while they may adopt any other language spoken in their states in addition.”

One comment made by one of the contributors in the topic caught my eye.

@Tundes, you too, my man, are right on the money! That girl or boy is definitely not a Yoruba. I think he/she is just a mole being planted here by those stupid Biafran agitators. As for your question, I have been fighting the Ibos and other yinminrins, for years, on Nairaland forum. And I can tell you that that Seun Osewa also is another Ibo apologist!

Posted by: Chief Oluyole Ibadan , on Friday, January 30, 2009

Abeg who is this chief oluyole of ibadan?

That's right. They should endeavour to use more of incantations too because incantations are better than ordinary spoken words .