EKO NEWS
Lagos State Reaffirms Commitment to Translating Laws into Yoruba
- With a population of over 25 million, the majority of whom are Yoruba speakers, it’s imperative to address the challenges faced by residents who have difficulty understanding the existing legal framework, which is currently written exclusively in English.
- LAWRECOM’s Executive Secretary, Mrs. Oluyemisi Adefoluke Ogunlola, highlighted the significance of making legal information readily available to the public.
- …Reaffirms Commitment To Legal Accessibility and Inclusion
The Lagos State Government has once again demonstrated its dedication to increasing legal accessibility and inclusivity by translating state laws into Yoruba.
Eko Hot Blog reports that this announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday, co-organized by the Lagos State Law Reform Commission (LAWRECOM) and the Bureau of Statistics under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
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At the event, LAWRECOM’s Executive Secretary, Mrs. Oluyemisi Adefoluke Ogunlola, highlighted the significance of making legal information readily available to the public.
With a population of over 25 million, the majority of whom are Yoruba speakers, it’s imperative to address the challenges faced by residents who have difficulty understanding the existing legal framework, which is currently written exclusively in English.
Mrs. Ogunlola expressed that by translating these legal texts into Yoruba, the government aims to promote voluntary compliance and enhance civic engagement amongst its residents.
“Our legal system, like that of the Federal Government, has traditionally been codified exclusively in English. However, a significant portion of our people struggle to fully comprehend legal texts written in English, making voluntary compliance and civic engagement more difficult,” she stated.
She pointed out that over 82% of Lagosians operate within the informal sector, where Yoruba serves as the primary language of communication.
The current limited understanding of legal provisions, mainly due to language barriers, has led to challenges in various aspects, including business transactions, dispute resolution, and governance participation.
Ogunlola further emphasized that translating these laws into Yoruba would promote democratization of legal information, legal literacy, and foster greater inclusion in governance.
Ogunlola also noted that making legal texts accessible in Yoruba would likely increase public awareness and compliance with legal obligations.
She stated that individuals are more inclined to follow regulations and steer clear of legal pitfalls when they comprehend the laws in a language they are comfortable with.
“When citizens are well-informed about their rights and responsibilities, it minimizes inadvertent violations and reduces the burden on law enforcement agencies”, she stated.
She stated that when citizens better understand the laws that govern them, they are more likely to actively participate in governance processes, such as public hearings, community dialogues, and policy advocacy.
Ogunlola also commended the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for championing the initiative.
She extended her appreciation to the Lagos State House of Assembly for promoting the use of Yoruba in official discourse, which aligns with the goals of making legal information more accessible and inclusive for the residents of Lagos.
As the project moves forward, Ogunlola urged stakeholders to maintain their active involvement in the upcoming phases and support the widespread adoption of the translated laws.
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The event had in attendance His Royal Majesty, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Kamorudeen Kasali; His Royal Majesty, the Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, Oba Maroof Oyekunle Atanda and other stakeholders in the legal sector.
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