The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has urged Yoruba people all over the world not despair and remain focused in the struggle for self-determination for the people of the southwest region.
Adams made the call on Sunday during a webinar conference organised by a Yoruba Diaspora Group, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), with the theme, “The State of Yoruba Nation”, organised to mark its one year anniversary.
The group declared that the Yoruba Nation was resolved to forge ahead with renewed zeal the right to its dream as entrenched in Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on People’s Right.
The Yoruba diaspora group also called for an immediate referendum to be supervised by the United Nations (UN) on the right to self- determination by Yoruba Nation.
“We urge Yoruba people all over the world not to relent in the irrevocable campaign for self-determination for Yoruba people.
“That the Yoruba Nation resolve to forge ahead with renewed zeal for the Right to Self-Determination as entrenched in Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on People’s Right.
“Immediate referendum to be supervised by the United Nations, (UN) on the right to self-determination by Yoruba Nation,” YOV said.
The global pan-Yoruba group, while deliberating at the conference, with participants drawn from across the world, representing the six continents made up of Yoruba professionals, men, women and students, numbering over 3000 people, lamented the high level insecurity in the southwest, which it said has manifested in the invasion of the region by armed Fulani herdsmen, leading to incessant killings, raping and kidnapping of innocent people among others.
The Aareonakakanfo, in his opening address, urged other like-minded groups, both within and outside the shores of Nigeria, to join Yoruba One in the quest for the liberation of Yoruba race, saying that his position as the Grand Patron of the largest Yoruba organization in the diaspora is strategic and well-situated to avail other well-meaning Yoruba sons and daughters the opportunity to play their roles in complementing the efforts of all the members.
The Yoruba Generalissimo, while urging the international community to support the call for Yoruba self-determination agenda, noted that with the achievements made so far by the organization, it is obvious that there will light at the end of the tunnel.
“With the success recorded today, YOV has made history as the largest Yoruba diaspora organization seeking the Yoruba nation self-determination agenda. And with this, I have the conviction that we will definitely achieve this lofty dream.
Going down the memory lane, one of the guest lecturers Prof. Ayodeji Agbonjinmi; from Department of Public and International Law; Faculty of Law; Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, in his remarks, said the Yoruba had in Nigeria’s history became the victims of political instability in Nigeria.
Agbojinmi cited past history and previous experiences of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the former premier of the western region, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as a former president and the late MKO Abiola as the only president that was elected that never ruled.
He said Yoruba had always been at the receiving end, maintaining that YOV had made remarkable move to determine the fate of the Yoruba race in the political milieu.
Meanwhile, Prof. Salawu Akeem Segun, of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who was the second guest lecturer at the event, in his remarksm said that there is nothing bad in seeking self determination, adding that the idea is a process that must mature in time, and that the Yoruba will always seek self determination or devolution of power to the regions.
While reading the communique, YOV Secretary General, Dr. Sina Okanlomo,said the organization will not relent in his effort to change the ugly narratives in Nigeria, insisting that Yoruba have all it takes to decide on the best way to go.
Erelu Abike,in her vote of thanks messages lauded the commitment of all the guests including the moderator, Mr. Babajide Akinremi,
even as she appreciated the efforts of all the members of the YOV across the six continents of the world as well as that of the YOV first year anniversary planning committee for providing the platform for an all- inclusive discourse.
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