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Alaafin Oyo hosts Yoruba Tooto publisher

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.Vows to ensure Yoruba unity

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has vowed to unite the Yoruba and to also promote the culture and tradition of the Yoruba land.

The first class monarch gave the assurance while hosting the publisher of Yoruba Tooto newspaper, Mr Kunle Babarinde, inside his palace on Thursday.

While commending the veteran journalist and historian on his activities to promote the language, culture and tradition of Yoruba land, Oba Adeyemi said, “Babarinde is a blessing to the Yoruba race.”

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Iku Baba Yeye as Alaafin is fondly called said, “You have done well and I’m very impressed with the way you are promoting our language, culture and tradition particularly through your newspaper and the historical book you wrote about Yoruba land.

“As the leader of all Obas in Yoruba land, I will put more efforts in promoting the language, culture and tradition of our land. As you also requested, I will double my efforts in ensuring the unity of we Yoruba.

“To say we are not united is an understatement and this is so because of the divisive politics our people have been playing without remembering that we are brothers and sisters as a Yoruba.

“As for our tradition, language and culture, it’s a pity that they are going into extinction. If you have been observing me, you would notice I don’t joke with our culture particularly our mode of dressing, greetings and language.

“It’s widely aknowledged​ that this palace is very unique in upholding our culture. When you see my drummers drumming, their drummings are always pregnant of meanings. If a traitor or a bad person visits me, the drummer would be using their talking drum to notify and warn me. The person wouldn’t know what they are using their drum to say but I would know. That’s Yoruba culture for you.

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“I’m happy with your newspaper and I will give you all my necessary support.”

While thanking the royal father, Babarinde said, “It’s a pity that our people have been neglecting our culture. This is what I am trying to correct through Yoruba Tooto newspaper.

“Also, Kabiyesi, I want you to work on the unity of we Yoruba. The way we have been divided, particularly through politics is saddening. Please Kabiyesi, ensure our unity.”

It would be recalled that the journalist wrote an historical book titled, YORUBA NI TOOTO, which comprised the origin of the Yoruba, the history of Ile-Ife, Oyo town, Ibadan and how Ilorin was lost to the Fulani.

The book was dedicated to mothers of some eminent personalities in Yoruba land like the mother of Alaafin Oyo, Ooni of Ile-Ife, Olubadan of Ibadan land, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Gov Seyi Makinde, Ogbeni Abdul-Rauf Aregbesola, Aare Gani Adams and so on.

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