Yoruba Spreading In Scandinavia- Scandinavian Schools Endorse Yoruba Language

Scandinavian countries – Norway,
Sweden, Denmark and Finland – have
approved the teaching of Yoruba
language in their schools. Yoruba is
predominantly spoken in South West
Nigeria, and neighboring Benin Republic, by
more than 40 Million people.
The Scandinavia countries gave the
approval late in 2014 but it was disclosed by
Victor Mobolaji Adewale, the Sweden
coordinator of the Oodua Progressive
Union (OPU), during the Europe meeting of
the Union which held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Adewale, who also emerged as the deputy
coordinator of the group in Europe, said the
approval followed the launch of the union in
Sweden on November 29, 2014, which was
attended by government officials from the
Scandinavian countries who thereafter
approved the teaching of Yoruba language
in their schools.
He said the union also has the OPU radio
functioning in the Scandinavian countries,
using it as a medium of popularising the
Yoruba language and reaching out to people
of like minds. “We are happy to report
that the Yoruba language has got the
approval of the authorities for it to be
taught in schools in the Scandinavian
countries. It is a major breakthrough
for us in popularizing our mother
tongue. We look forward to doing
more,” Adewale said.
Otunba Gani Adams, convener of the OPU
and National coordinator of the Oodua
Peoples Congress (OPC), who expressed
happiness at the development, said one of
the reasons for the summit was capacity
building. Adams advised the Europe
chapters of the OPU to be aggressive in
expanding their coasts by establishing more
chapters.
He said the duty and responsibility of the
European chapter should be to cover 25
countries out of the 28 in Europe.
He said the OPU can use Europe as a base
to mobilise others.
Adams said at the meeting that OPU
was now present in 56 countries,
adding: “Protecting the image of
Nigeria is important. Liaise with the
embassies, the Missions of Nigeria in
all the countries where you are based.
They are the representatives of
Nigeria out here.” Adams also implored
the members of the OPU to operate with
singleness of purpose, adding: “If there is
no unity, nothing can be achieved. We are
building the OPU for the benefit of the
Yoruba. We will soon expand strongly in
America.”