Founder & CEO, Ikorodu Oga Radio, Nigeria’s first online community Radio, Om’oba ‘Peju Akinyemi has advocated for the adoption of mother tongue in international diplomacy and Media practices across Nigeria.
Akinyemi made his position known while delivering his presentation on the Role of Community Media in Enhancing Cultural Diplomacy during the 3-day Strategic Simulation program organized by the Africa Young Diplomat Forum (AYDF) in conjunction with the Ikorodu Division Youth Initiative (IDYI) held at the Gbadamosi Conference Hall in Ikorodu.
The Community Media professional noted that Language, Culture, Food and Dressing were key elements of effective diplomacy in the current global world.
He however lamented the worrisome but gradual erosion of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage due to the adoption of foreign lifestyles, by Nigerians.
The Multimedia Journalist also lamented a situation where the Youruba and other Nigerian local languages were treated by Nigerians with disdain.
He equally condemned the growing trend among youths, who now prefer to spell and write their local names in English Language, rather than in their original local languages.
‘An Ambassador is supposed to be the representative of his or her country. When you see them, you recognize them by the way they dress, the language they speak and through their cultural practices’, he said.
‘What do we wear as Nigerians? Do we wear Nigerian attires? Do we speak our languages? And, do we even eat our own foods?, he queried.
He described a situation where Nigerians embrace foreign lifestyles, languages and cultural practices above their own as ’empty pride ‘
Speaking further, he cited the case of Indians and Chinese who make their films in their own languages as a means of cultural diplomacy, unlike Nigerians who make most their films in English Language.
Continuing, Akinyemi also berated his colleagues in the Broadcast Media who dress in Foreign dresses during national news broadcasts, stating that it was an aberration.
He concluded by tasking participants to go back to their various homes to make amends where necessary, towards embracing our language, dressing and cultural practices.
