The Yoruba Council of Elders has been called upon to guard against the phasing out of the language due to non commitment of the elders of the ethnic group.

The Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, gave the warning while playing host to the National President of the organisation, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo (Rtd) who paid him a visit.

The National President of the Yoruba Council of Elders was in Kwara State for the inauguration of the Kwara State chapter of the union.

Governor Ahmed challenged the leaders of the Yoruba race to ensure that the Yoruba language does not go into extinction by ensuring that it is used for commerce and instruction.

Efforts, he noted, should be intensified to give priority to local languages instead of the foreign ones.

Meanwhile, at the inauguration of the new executive for Kwara State, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo noted that the council, which was formed 15 years ago, is non political, non sectarian and non religious. He stressed that it was founded for the purpose of ensuring a stable, progressive and prosperous Yoruba nation.

The guest speaker at the occasion, Professor Samuel Ibiyemi, also called on the elders to encourage the youths to embrace the Yoruba culture. This, he said, would impact their behaviors positively.