Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland okay teaching of Yoruba language in schools

Scandinavian countries have approved the teaching of Yoruba language in their schools.
The countries – Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland – gave the approval late in 2014.
This revelation was made on Saturday by the Sweden Coordinator of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), Victor Mobolaji Adewale, during the Europe meeting of the Union.
The meeting was held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Adewale, who also emerged as the Deputy Coordinator of the body in Europe, said the approval followed the well-attended launch of the Union in Sweden on November 29, 2014.
He said it was attended by government officials from the Scandinavian countries who, thereafter, okayed 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 likeminds.
Adewale said: “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 popularising our mother tongue. We look forward to doing more.”
OPU Convener and National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPU), Otunba Gani Adams, who expressed happiness at the development, said one of the reasons for the summit was capacity building.
Adams advised the Europe chapters of OPU to be aggressive in expanding their coasts by building 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 told the meeting that OPU was now present in 56 countries, adding: “Protecting the name and projecting 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 OPU members 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 Yorubas. We will soon expand strongly in America.”
Publisher of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo, delivered a lecture on: “Leadership and the Nigerian challenge.”
Akinadewo admonished OPU members to develop leadership capacity in order to run a truly strong organisation.
Among those who attended the meeting was the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko in Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun.
One of the major highlights of the meeting was the emergence of executive members of the Europe chapter.
The Coordinator of the chapter is Akogun Banjo Ojo, while Adewale became the Deputy Coordinator.
Members of the Europe chapter of the OPU also agreed to commence the construction of an estate in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The land for the project was provided by Adams at a subsidised rate.