Kudos For Lookman, Knocks For Davido, Badenoch Over Identifying With Nigeria

Nigerian footballer Ademola Lookman has been celebrated for his cultural pride after his recent recognition as the 2024 African Footballer of the Year.

Prominent social commentator Reno Omokri praised Lookman for using the global platform to showcase his Nigerian identity and promote the Yoruba language, contrasting it with recent controversial remarks by singer Davido and British MP Kemi Badenoch.

Omokri highlighted that Ademola Lookman, at just 27, displayed a level of wisdom beyond his years by addressing his audience in Yoruba, saying, “Good evening Nigerians, thank you, I appreciate. I greet you all.”

According to Omokri, this small yet significant gesture stood in sharp contrast to Davido’s earlier speech on an international stage, where the singer used an American accent to criticize Nigeria’s economy, urging the world not to invest in the country.

He also referenced Kemi Badenoch, the British Conservative Party leader, who recently described Nigeria as “a very poor country” during an interview. She had claimed that Nigerian police rob their citizens. Omokri pointed out that her statement triggered backlash in the UK, with a prominent Conservative Party figure, Albie Amankona, urging British leaders to refrain from undermining one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

Reflecting on Lookman’s example, Omokri stressed the importance of preserving indigenous languages and promoting African heritage. He noted that while global icons like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala have spoken Igbo on international platforms, Ademola Lookman’s embrace of Yoruba serves as a powerful reminder of the role language plays in cultural identity.

Omokri further lamented the decline of Nigerian languages, citing UNESCO’s 2012 declaration of Igbo as an endangered language. He commended the Yoruba people for their efforts to preserve their language, emphasizing that all six governors in Nigeria’s Southwest region bear full Yoruba names.

Calling for action, Omokri urged Nigerians to teach their children native languages before introducing them to English. He emphasized that multilingualism enhances intelligence and cultural pride, sharing examples of Latino families in the U.S. who prioritize Spanish as a first language before their children learn English in school.

Omokri concluded by advocating for a balance between modernity and tradition, encouraging Nigerians to embrace their roots while thriving in a globalized world. He argued that cultural pride, as demonstrated by Ademola Lookman, is key to reversing language erosion and projecting Nigeria’s strength on the global stage.
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