The Traditional Religion Worshippers’ Association, on Wednesday, appealed to both the Federal and State Governments to establish educational institutions dedicated to teaching traditional religious knowledge. This, they believe, will instill in the younger generation an understanding of Yoruba culture and tradition.
Fayemi Fakayode, the Secretary of the Oyo State branch of the association, made this plea in Ibadan, the state capital. He emphasized the importance of including traditional religious knowledge as a subject in primary and secondary school curricula, similar to the way Islamic Religious Knowledge and Christian Religious Knowledge are taught.
In a personally signed statement, Fakayode highlighted the necessity of proper education to correct misconceptions about Yoruba history and traditions among the youth. He expressed concern that misinformation about African origin and culture has resulted in misguided perceptions about traditional religion.
During the installation of two Brazilians, Awoyomi Fakayode and Iyanifa Ifatayo Obemo, as Mayegun and Yeye Mayegun of Ìjọ Ìmọ́lẹ̀ Olódùmarè Àgbáyé, respectively, in Alade Town, Akinyele Local Government Area of the state, Fakayode stated:
“The time has come for both the Federal and State Governments to include TRK as a subject in the primary and secondary school curriculum, like they have the IRK and CRK, respectively. There is a need for proper education to impart to the younger generations the needed knowledge of our traditions and religion.
“Also, there is a need to equip the younger generations with culturally based knowledge which will make them useful for themselves and their land as well as implanting in them the spirit of patriotism that will make them unyielding to the spirit of betraying their ancestors.
“We call on the traditionalists to start making efforts to establish this subject in our primary and secondary schools, while the Federal and State Governments will give it the needed support by approving its inclusion in the school’s syllabus and curriculum.”
