Presenter of Ode Akoni, a popular Yoruba hunting expedition Radio programme, Mogaji (Alhaji) Kola Akintayo has raised concern on the gradual decline on Yoruba language, culture and tradition over some times, urging government and stakeholders to take necessary steps to rescue the development.
Mogaji Akintayo who is well known as “Ode Ilu Ibadan” in an interview with Oodua News Newspaper in Ibadan, noted that western culture which was embraced over the years by the Yorubas is responsible for the gradually decline in Yoruba language.
According to him, there is the need to encourage students to have more interest in Yoruba subject and also listen to them on Radio to enhance the situation.
“The language is gradually going to extinction , this development portends danger for the Yoruba people in the future.
“My programmes on Radio are designed to teach and educate the people on culture, tradition and beliefs of Yoruba people, It is worrisome that the language is gradually going into extinction. I therefore appeal to government and stakeholders to ensure that Yoruba language is given the necessary priority in the academic curriculum of schools in the Yoruba speaking states.”
Speaking on his contributions to the sustenaning the language, he said, “I use to take young apprentice under me to my programmes on Radio, the reason is to teach and train them on the culture, beliefs and tradition of the Yorubas so that they too can also impact same to others.
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“I also go to schools on invitation to teach students on Yoruba culture. This is aimed at inculcating the culture into them. My own children do ijala and others stuffs on Radio.”
He expressed disappointment that government do not recognize his efforts and contributions to sustaining Yoruba language against the future.
Mogaji Akintayo who has been anchoring culture related program on Radio for about 40 years urged government to further encourage Yoruba language in school from primary to secondary school levels to pave way for the growth and development of the language.
Speaking on how he conceived the programme, “Ode Akoni”, which hit the air wave of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, (BCOS) on March 15 2000, he recalled that it was same time, “Iriiri Aye,” programme of late broadcaster Kola Olawuyi came on the airwaves.
“It was the time I left Radio Nigeria. I already had hunting expedition experience which I used to share with people whenever we come together, that prompted me to put up a proposal to BCOS Radio station.
“Ode Akoni Immediately became a house hold programme on the Radio station. It was a time Owuye also came up on BCOS Radio. So, the two programmes immediately became house hold programmes on the station, the experience I had during hunting expedition paved way for the programme.”
He said, “Ode Akoni shot me to limelight, while other programmes added to my glory in presentation. “though I have other programmes on Radio and TV.
Speaking on his most challenging experience, he said the development occured between 1999 and 2001. “It was during the time I had a Bitus car, I was invited as MC at a programme in Osogbo. Another MC, one Alani Ogundepo was also invited, though he was a senior in Ijala oratory. On that faithful day on my way to the programme the Bitus car developed a fault, we spent almost all the day trying to fix the car. By 5pm, we returned back home, and also retuned the part payment given to me . It really pained me, it was a sad experience.
Mogaji Akintayo said some people don’t regard him as Muslim based on his programmes which majorly center on culture and traditions. Said he, “Some people don’t regard me as a true Muslim, but a core traditionalist. As a result, some people rose against me when I wanted to observe the Muslim Pilgrimage some years back, it took the intervention of God and some good people who rose to the occasion. They said I am a traditionalist because I am presenting Ode Akoni and other traditional related programmes on Radio and TV.
The versatile radio/TV guru said he has established Ode Ilu Ibadan TV on YouTube to make him reach out to more audience home and abroad in order to encourage and sustain Yoruba language.
Other programmes he anchors include Ipade Molebi on Monday 7 to 8pm, Ipade Landlord on Friday on Yes FM 9 to 10 Pm, Ode Akoni on Yes FM 101.7 between 9-10;30PM on Sundays and many others.
