Yoruba leaders on Thursday in Ibadan called for unity and reappraisal of the agenda for the development of the South-West.
Top traditional and political leaders from the region were present at the meeting.
Also in attendance were representatives of Yoruba from Kogi, Kwara and Delta states.
The convener of the Yoruba Assembly, Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade (retd.), urged the people to set aside their political, ethnic and socio-cultural differences to restore the pride of the region.
He said, “Today’s meeting is not to do or say anything that will detract from the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is intended to allow us, as Yoruba sons and daughters, to rob minds on the way out of the country’s crippling underdevelopment, with special emphasis on the parlous state of affairs in the South-West.”
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| Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade (retd.) |
The former Chief of Defence Staff wondered how the South-West lost focus and relapsed into “frivolity and unhealthy sentiment”.
Akinrinade recalled that “long before Nigeria became independent in 1960, our region developed the most professional civil service under the leadership of Chief Simeon Adebo of blessed memory”.
He added, “The Yoruba were the first to officially recognise opposition in governance and provided official accommodation for leaders of opposition in the region. It is a clear sign of our philosophical commitment to plurality of perspectives.”
He, however, expressed hope that the race would retrace its way back to glory and development.
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimob, who spoke on behalf of other South-West governors, regretted that the region had failed to demonstrate boldness in addressing some of the wrongs in the land.
He said, “Our leaders should display courage and boldness so as to fight for our right as a people. The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that we are talking about, displayed courage.
“Again, it is not even compulsory that we should all be in the same political party. However, those who are progressive-minded should not relent in fighting the cause that we commonly believe in.”
However, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), blamed the predicament of the Yoruba nation on the governors whom he alleged “are sleeping when necessary actions in favour of the people ought to have been taken.”
The deputy Governor of Osun State, Chief Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, lamented that the Yoruba had lived for long in fruitless glory about past achievements.
She said, “It is sad that we continue to lay claim to the days of the region when our political hero, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, put all within his reach as a leader to develop the region. What we witness today is the plastering and painting of old structures built by late Awolowo.
“We have to change our orientation as a people and embark on real development for the good of our land.”
Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, said the call for a better Yoruba nation meant a call for a better Nigeria. He said, “We should unite as one with the mind of bringing about development. As we do this, I can say that Nigeria is being developed because we are part of the entity.”
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