Ogu assembly prepares for 5th anniversary, 2nd edition of summit, demands inclusion of indigenous language in academic curriculum

Ebunoluwa Akinlatun(Intern)

The Ogu General Assembly, a socio- cultural organization promoting the interest of the Ogu people across the world has commenced preparations for the 5th anniversary of the body with the second edition of its summit.

Penpushing reports that the National President of the assembly, Prof Jendele Hungbo made this known on Friday at a press conference held at the Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital

The President disclosed that the theme of this year’s summit is Gbenopo: The Imperative of PAN-OGU Unity Beyond Borders’, explaining that the summit is to foster unity and progress of the group, which he said was established on the August, 30, 2019 with only 20 members to represent and promote the interest of Ogu.

Penpushing further reports that Hungbo disclosed that the theme of this year’s summit is Gbenopo: The Imperative of PAN-OGU Unity Beyond Borders’, explaining that the summit is to foster unity and progress of the group.

The President accompanied by other executives of the assembly explained that the ceremony is slated for October 19, 2024, adding that some of the activities line up include sports festival, as well as international culture fiesta to hold November 28, 2024 and the grand finale slated for November 30, 2024.

Penpushing also reports that Hungbo, however, called on Nigeria government for inclusion of Ogu language in educational curriculum, as well as on importance need to diversify economy and tackle marginalization.

The assembly in the same vein sought inclusion in governance, while lamenting the structural lapses in the country, which they identified as worrisome, and noted that with the present economy re-engineering moves, nothing changes with dependency on crude oil.

Penpushing reports that the convener of the group emphasized that no economy in the world survived with one single resource, and urged the Nigerian government to face the manufacturing and the virtuous sectors.

The university don pointed out that the country must venture more in manufacturing products sellable to outside world in order to boost its economy, stressing that all Nigerians must embrace good virtues in order to tackle corruption in the system.

‘Federal Government is not available for advice. Federal Government is a lone ranger government. Nigeria must face its manufacturing sector. You need to be deliberate in diversifying the economy. No economy in the world survives with single resource like we are relying on crude oil in the country.

‘We must start manufacturing products to export. Another sector we must face is the virtuous sector. We must be virtuous and possess the right and good virtues. Every Nigerian must fight corruption’, Hungbo emphasised.

Penpushing further reports that he was of the opinion that the old leaders must leave the stage for the young leaders to come on board, saying Nigeria cannot afford to do things with old ideas, and that the young leaders still have the future to look up to.

The group convener on the move by the organization to ensure that the cultural and ethnic lapses are corrected, disclosed that the group submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly during the last constitution review and amendment.

Penpushing also reports that he said the group will approach the Lagos and Ogun State Assemblies to enact law that will allow indigenous language of Ogu in schools, especially for teaching of pupils, lamenting that despite the high population, professionals among OGU people in the two states, especially Ogun State, the schools still force Yoruba language on the OGU students, describing the situation as a barrier for their wards.

‘Let the young leaders take over governance from our old leaders. The young leaders still have the future to look up to. We need new ideas to do things. We want to say no to forcing Yoruba language on our wards in schools, majority of our wards can’t cope with the force and many have dropped out. We believe teaching them in their indigenous language will help them and the system”, he stated.

Penpushing reports that the assembly boss disclosed that the group in contributing to standard of education has given bursary to 120 students and scholarships to over 140 students across the state and environs.

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