PROMINENT Yoruba elders met in Ibadan yesterday to brainstorm on how the South West geo-political zone will fare better in the next political dispensation.
In what appeared like realignment of forces that would be formidable enough to fight the cause of the zone, the elders under the auspices of Yoruba Patriots Movement after a four-hour meeting which held at 12, Oladosu Oladipo street, New Bodija, Ibadan, inaugurated a committee that would draw a blueprint for the framework on the way forward for the zone which had severally complained about being marginalised in the scheme of things.
On behalf of the people, Chief Oladosu Oladipo said that Oladipo said, “We are going to align with other regions, other political groups; sell our ideas and agenda to them and let them key into it. When that is done, then we can form a reasonable and standard alliance. But let charity begin at home. When it begins, definitely to move forward will not be a headache”.
“We also agreed that we need to reach out to more politicians, non-politicians, captains of industries, our people in the academics and others so that we will be able to galvanise ideas on how to move the Yoruba nation forward in all spheres.” Some of the people at the meeting included the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, former Minister of State, Defence, Prince Kayode Adetokunbo, former Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Oyebade, former Chief of Staff to former Governor of Oyo State, Dr Saka Balogun, Dr Kunle Olajide, Dr Doyin Okupe, Elder Wole Oyelese, Chief (Mrs) Funmilayo Jabaru, Professor Soji Adejumo, Prince Dotun Oyelade and several others. Chief Oladipo did not mince words about the political inclination of the group saying it is focused on the unity of Yoruba nations towards 2019 and beyond.
“We have a lot to do if we want to survive as a nation. Yorubas have continued to go down the drain from successive governments. And I am sure all of us knew that. We are not concerned about who does what and gets what.” The newly inaugurated committee include Senator Obanikoro, Dimeji Bankole, Professor Adesoji, Mr. Adetokunbo and Dr Bayo Oriire. Oladipo spoke further saying, “There will also be a meeting in the political aspect with political leaders, current governors, past governors and plan the next stakeholders summit. It will be a comprehensive event that will help set up a comprehensive agenda. We will also embark on extensive consultation.
Everybody must be brought on board. “We need to reach out to galvanise ideas on how to move Yoruba nation forward. “We have known our problem and have dissect the extent of its negativity on our culture and moral values. We never knew Yoruba’s problem is so much to that extent until today when we diagnosed it. “Dimeji Bankole and Musiliu Obanikoro were very helpful in today’s meeting to our satisfaction. They really gave us the extent of the rot and some of us were educated by their contributions”, he said.
.vangurad