Stakeholders in Oyo State have raised concerns over the rising trend of indecent and immoral dressing among youths, citing its negative impact on Yoruba moral values and societal norms.
In response to these growing concerns, the Oyo State Government held a maiden awareness campaign tagged “Awareness and Sensitization Summit on Immoral Dressing Code and Other Vices: Role of The Society To Checkmate The Menace” aimed at curbing indecent dressing and promoting moral decency across the state.
The event which held on Thursday, November 7, at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State Assembly Parliament Complex, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, witnessed top state government functionaries, Oyo lawmaker, community leaders, traders and socio-cultural associations, secondary schools within Ibadan metropolis, and theatre art practitioners, among others.
Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, commended the organizers of the event describing it as timely and expedient, especially at a time according to him, that moral decadence among youths has reached an alarming stage.
Olatubosun disclosed that his ministry and that of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to take cultural awareness campaign down to public schools across the state in order to adequately address the issue of moral decadence become youths from their foundation.
Lamenting the increasing sense of cultural awareness among Yoruba youths and children, Olatubosun noted that it was worrisome that children of nowadays could no longer communicate effectively in their own mother tongue without injecting foreign language, describing the situation as an eroding consciousness of one’s identity which he said should be a source of concern to the entire Yoruba land.
Olatubosun also told newsmen shortly after the event, that stakeholders including parents, schools, local communities have key roles to play in revamping cultural awareness among the present and coming generation such that would create a sense of pride and honor wherever they go as Yoruba sons and daughters.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Soliu Adelabu represented by Mrs. Karunwi Maria Olufunke, also from the ministry acknowledged that the issue of immoral dressing and other vices among youths and students have become a growing concern in the society as such dressing has direct impact on their behaviors and disposition to life.
Citing a first-hand detrimental effect of immoral dressing on students, the Commissioner noted that such conduct not only impact academic performance negatively but also affects their prospects for the future adding that the society owed it a duty to instill values of respect, dignity, integrity, and discipline among young ones.
He called on stakeholders to be more proactive and to take a more firm stance against the menace and create a conducive environment for students to thrive in life and also excel.
Also speaking, member of the 10th Oyo state House of Assembly, Honorable Oluranti Olubisi Michael representing Ogbomoso North state constituency and chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism, told participants at the event to be deliberate I’m their actions in training their children with the consciousness of their Yoruba heritage.
She noted that issue of immoral dressing among young ones has garnered widespread attention due to its growing concerns on its impact on the larger society, while also lamenting the increasing frequency of inappropriate and provocative attire, especially among young people.
She argued that these immoral outfits, often contravene societal expectations and contribute to the erosion of cultural and ethical values. She therefore, appealed to parents, teachers, school administrators to do more in preserving the Yoruba culture and heritage that she said was fast becoming eroded by the lack of conscious awareness of the Yoruba pride among youths.
Earlier in her address, the convener and organizer of the event, Mrs. Omolara Adebayo popularly known as ‘iyakuegbe’; the Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism to the Oyo state governor, emphasized that the government is committed to promoting an environment that upholds the dignity and respect of all citizens.
She described the mode of indecent and immoral dressing among youths as an alien tradition that is causing serious harm to the Yoruba culture than good. She noted however, that the cultural awareness campaign was not to undermine the role of western dressing mode among the Yoruba people but such should be done with cognisance of the Yoruba value system.
“Indecent dressing is not just about clothing, but about upholding the values that make us human and humane. We want to see our youths embrace responsible dressing, which reflects their character and respect for themselves and others,”
“In our Yoruba culture and tradition, modesty is a key principle, and it is disheartening to see the youth embracing trends that disregard these values. It is not just about what they wear, but what it signifies about their sense of self-worth and respect for their community and society as a whole.
“Indecent dressing not only violates our moral principles but also has a detrimental effect on the overall well-being of our society. We must work together to instill proper values in our youths.
“And I must say also that this issue of indecent dressing is just a symptom of deeper social issues, such as lack of adequate role models and poor parental guidance. It will take a collective effort to address these problems, and that is why we’re all gathered here today to know our roles in shaping up our society and preserving what is our cultural heritage.” Mrs. Adebayo said.
Exciting side attractions at the event include entertaining cultural display by various schools and cultural troupe, provision of Yoruba traditional delicacies such as ‘ekuru’ spiced with vegetable strew and fish, ‘moin moin’ better known as bean pudding, ‘kengbe akara’, and asaro’ among others.
Also present at the event were the Special Assistant on Interfaith Matters to the Oyo state governor, Reverend Femi Ibikunle, popular Yoruba radio jingle producer, Mr Abiodun Adekanbi, popular Ibadan born Yoruba actor and theatre art practitioner, and Isiaq Towose popularly known as Logudu Bembo, among others.
Highlight of the event was presentation of certificate of participation to the schools invited for the event which include Queens College, Apata, Community High School, Pegba, Oka-Bola Comprehensive High School, Ajibode Grammar School, among others.
