A chieftain of Afenifere, Adebayo Odunowo, has said that the socio-cultural group must learn to evolve and move with time to continue to be relevant.

Odunowo also lamented the neglect and relegation of Yoruba Language warning of its dire consequences on the preservation of the tribe’s rich history and cultural identity.

The APC stalwart, according to a statement on Tuesday, spoke while receiving members of Afenifere from Ikenne and Odogbolu Local Governments.

Odunowo was quoted to have said that “the Nigerian political landscape is evolving, and Afenifere needs to evolve too if they want to continue to remain relevant. Some of their political agenda has been overtaken by events, hence the need to craft new political agenda that will be in line with present realities.

“To achieve their new political agenda, Afenifere will have to embrace inclusiveness and collaboration, they will have to liaise with other socio-cultural groups like Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other ethnic nationality groups.”

He added, “If they come together, they will be able to present a common front that will help each ethnic nationality get what they deserve from the centre. Joining hands together with other groups in the country will not only speed up the process by the Federal Government to hands off the control of local governments and grant local government autonomy but it will smoothen the process of creating new states.”

He advised the Afenifere members to take urgent steps to ensure that the Yoruba language does not become extinct, expressing disgust at the current situation whereby the Yoruba language is categorised as a vernacular in schools across Yorubaland.

He said his vast travelling experience to some foreign countries had shown that these countries do not joke with their local and indigenous languages saying “When our children travel to study in such countries, they are required to learn their language for six to twelve months before they can attend classes. Why can’t we learn from them?”

Odunowo also urged the group to organize seminars and create awareness of political consciousness, formulation of ideology, and regular contributions to national issues.