Ogun Assembly Passes Principal-General Establishment Bill, Advocates for Yoruba Cultural Heritage Preservation
Abeokuta, Ogun State – The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed the Principal-General Establishment Law, 2024, formalizing the appointment of Principals-General in the state and outlining their roles and responsibilities. The bill, aimed at streamlining educational administration, was passed during a plenary session held at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The passage followed the presentation of a report by the House Committee on Education, Science, and Technology on “House Bill No. 016/OG/2024.” The Committee Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Amosun, moved for the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Hon. Olakunle Sobukanla and unanimously supported by all lawmakers through a voice vote. The bill was subsequently read and adopted clause by clause by the Committee of the Whole House.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Yusuf Sherrif, moved the motion for the third reading of the bill, seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, and endorsed by the entire House. The Clerk and Head of Legislative Service, Mr. Sakiru Adebakin, read the bill for the third time, after which the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide directed that a clean copy of the bill be forwarded to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his assent.
In a related development, Speaker Elemide emphasized the importance of preserving the Yoruba language and culture, urging parents to teach their children their mother tongue to prevent its extinction. He made the remarks shortly after receiving the “Akinkanju Atayese Ewa Asa ati Ise Ile Yoruba” award from the Ewa Asa Cultural Heritage group, led by its founder, Ademidun Fagbenro, and Coordinator, Babatunde Akinbiyi.
The Speaker called on parents to raise disciplined children who would uphold the social and cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, noting that Yoruba culture encompasses religious practices and moral values essential for building a decent society. He commended the Ewa Asa Cultural Heritage group for its efforts in promoting Yoruba traditions.
Earlier, Ademidun Fagbenro, the founder of the group, explained that the organization’s mission is to prevent the erosion of Yoruba socio-cultural heritage. He praised the Speaker for his commitment to promoting Yoruba identity in his legislative activities.
In a separate meeting, Speaker Elemide received members of the Southwest Youth Parliament, led by its Speaker, Hon. Temitope Joseph. Discussions centred on youth empowerment, the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition, and other collaborative efforts to foster regional development.
The passage of the Principal-General Establishment Bill and the Assembly’s advocacy for cultural preservation underscore the Ogun State House of Assembly’s commitment to both administrative efficiency and the promotion of Yoruba heritage.
