Nigerian Literal icon, Wole soyinka, has urged parents to preserve their culture and traditions by speaking their mothers tongue to their children.
On Monday, 19th May 2025, while appearing as a guest to the University of Ilorin as part of activities leading up to the school’s maiden Culture Week, organised by the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, Wole Soyinka made the bold call.
This came shortly after speaking about the progidy of African culture and how it’s important to keep it alive for generational advances.
He highlighted Illorin as a peak point for exempting cultural events and historical reputation.
Directing his words to parents, he urged them to allow their children to converse in their language so as to keep their culture alive.
His words:
“Language is a repository of culture. Africans should allow their children to speak their language for the sustainability of their traditions.”
Nigerians couldn’t hold their nerves and reacted massively according to their views.
Wole Soyinka is a highly acclaimed literal icon who breached dimensions in the literal field to attain noble prices, including becoming the first African writer to be awarded a grand prize in Literature.
