Fagunwa Day
Fagunwa Day promises to be an avenue of
promoting Yoruba culture and literature. Young writers using Yoruba
Language to write are invited to read from their works or those of other
writers. Using Yoruba language to write among youths has become a taboo
which every individual youth fear not to commit. Youths are no more
having any pride in using their indigenous languages to communicate or
express their views and opinions in a written format because they are
fearing not to be called an illiterate or win an international laurel
through the medium or be ridiculed among their mates. They have
forgotten the fact that they are to exhibit their culture, traditions,
values and norms to their neighbors and foreigners as Achebe, Soyinka,
Amos Tutuola, Labo Yari, Ben Okri, Sefi Atta and Chimamanda have done
through their works. Those young writers writing historical plays or
works using English Language sometimes failed to conduct adequate
research about what they are writing because they don’t understand the
foundation or basics of such language, the origin of the tribe itself
and the flowery elements in the language of such tribe.
Upcoming and talented young writers who
have developed or want to develop writing in indigenous languages should
consult the works of the following people, Pita Nwana from the East,
Abubakar Imam from the North, Daniel Orowale Fagunwa from the West on
how they can write world acclaimed works using their indigenous
languages.
It is very sad and discouraging that the
Association of Nigerian Authors as big as they are do not have prizes
for writers writing in indigenous languages especially Yoruba Language.
The attitude of Egbe Akomolede Yoruba towards upcoming Yoruba Writers is
not in the least encouraging, and hence the clarion calls for them to
rise up to the occasion.
Aims and Objectives of Fagunwa Day
1. To encourage writing and reading in Yoruba Language
2. To Promote Yoruba culture, traditions and values
3. To
be giving out reward, award and recognitions to those young writers who
are making use of their indigenous languages to write.
4. To appreciate the talent and works of writers who are using Yoruba language to write.
5. To
encourage upcoming and talented Young Writers in South West in the use
of their beautiful indigenous language in passing across useful and
educative information across the globe.
