{
  "id": 8017090,
  "title": "I’ve learnt Yoruba, can now campaign in language — Rhodes-Vivour",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/ive-learnt-yoruba-can-now-campaign-in-language-rhodes-vivour",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T12:00:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/ive-learnt-yoruba-can-now-campaign-in-language-rhodes-vivour/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has revealed that he has learned Yoruba and can now campaign in the language. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Rhodes-Vivour said he had hired a Yoruba teacher and had developed his ability to speak the language. He emphasized the importance of culture and language, but stressed that his primary focus is addressing the challenges faced by Lagos residents. During the interview, Rhodes-Vivour responded in Yoruba when a presenter greeted him in the language, saying \"Mo ki gbogbo yin,\" which means \"I greet all of you.\" The candidate highlighted the shared issues facing Lagos, including flooding, housing crisis, and traffic congestion, which affect residents regardless of their ethnic backgrounds. Rhodes-Vivour, whose father is Yoruba and mother is Igbo, acknowledged during the 2023 campaign that while he understood and could speak Yoruba, he was not fluent. He later stated that he had hired a Yoruba teacher and was learning the language, believing it would help him connect with the people.",
  "summary": "Lagos governorship aspirant, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, says he has learnt Yoruba and can now campaign in the language ahead of the 2027 election. Read More: https://punchng.com/ive-learnt-yoruba-can-now-campaign-in-language-rhodes-vivour/",
  "key_points": [
    "Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour learned Yoruba and can now campaign in the language.",
    "He hired a Yoruba teacher to develop his language skills.",
    "Rhodes-Vivour emphasized addressing Lagos residents' challenges regardless of ethnicity."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "I’ve learnt Yoruba, can now campaign in language — Rhodes-Vivour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/ive-learnt-yoruba-can-now-campaign-in-language-rhodes-vivour-8021562",
        "published": "2026-09-17T12:30:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}