The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Thursday, lauded the launch of translation of Nigeria’s constitution in three indigenous languages, saying efforts would expedite nation-building.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Prince Ade Ajayi Foundation, Centre for Constitutional Literacy and Civic Education, translated Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution into Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo languages and the Naija Patriots Constitution app, which contains the audio format of the constitution.
While unveiling the translations, Oba Adeyemi said, “For a young man to have translated the constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended into three major languages is a feat.
“It is an opportunity for Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo people to read the constitution in their own local language and come to a conclusion whether the constitution is working or not.”
The traditional ruler, who decried that Ajayi Crowther, haven singlehandedly translated the Bible into Yoruba and other languages, died unsung and uncelebrated, prayed that the PAAF president, would not die uncelebrated for the feat.
The Alaafin, who expressed a little disappointment about the absence of many invited dignitaries at the event, said that Nigeria constitution needed to be worked upon to allow restructuring for the nation to make progress.
The Alaafin, who noted that he had read the constitution many times, urged Nigerians to read and understand the workings of the constitution, with the opportunity provided by PAAF.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State described the efforts of PAAF as laudable and apt, especially at this time in the nation’s history.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, Mr Adekunle Olayinka, said: “It will have a far-reaching impact in governance.
“We should now expect contributions of people in governance, even from pepper sellers on the street.”
Also, a former governor of Lagos State. Bola Tinubu, said that broadening the understanding of Nigerians about the constitution, especially with the translation of the document into three indigenous languages, was a big and laudable job.
Represented by Mr Ademola Sadiq, the immediate past Lagos State Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, Tinubu said, “It is always better when everybody is aware of his rights, duties and obligations to the state. Prince Ade Ajayi deserves all the praises and commendations.
“This will make the country better to govern and make the followers easier to manage. We don’t have to wait for China to come and translate our constitution into our languages.”
In his remarks, Mr Segun Olulade, a two-term former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who described the efforts of PAAF foundation as a remarkable feat, said: “A lot of people are going to know their rights and ask questions.
“He (Ajayi) has started a new revolution in the constitution of Nigeria. With the translations, a lot of people at the grassroots will understand constitution and pick interest in getting good governance.”
The Executive Vice Chairman, Emerging Africa Group, Mrs Toyin Sanni, one of the project sponsors, said that understanding of the constitution would create a better Nigeria.
Earlier, Ajayi, President of PAAF, said that the project on constitutional literacy, which had scaled through all odds and finally emerged a reality, was aimed at creating Nigeria of everyone’s dream.
Describing constitution as fundamental in the existence and development of a country, Ajayi decried that many Nigerians did not even know the constitution nor read it,
“We must start this movement from a document that binds us as a country, that is; The constitution, in order to build the nation of our dreams.
“According to our research, we find out a good percentage of Nigerians do not even know the constitution nor ever read it,” he said.
Ajayi said that the book, ‘I Love Nigeria My Country’, was to build and ignite love toward the nation and change perception and behavioural approach of Nigerians to the country.
According to him, if Nigerians are well informed about the country and the constitution, they will choose leaders capable of facilitating constitutional amendments to bring development without war.
NAN reports that the event also witnessed inauguration of the maiden edition of Naija Patriots Award, an award to celebrate 100 patriotic Nigerians for their contributions to various aspects of our nation.
(NAN)