By Adedoja Adesoji
December 30, 2024
The Aare-in-Council has called on Yoruba leaders worldwide to unite and form a common front to salvage the Yoruba race.
This call was made at the end of their quarterly meeting, held on December 27, 2024, at the Palace of the Aareonakakanfo in Ikeja, Lagos.
According to a statement issued and signed by the Baaroyin Aareonakakanfo, Shola Osunkeye, the meeting deliberated on several issues relating to the development of the southwest and its people. Iba Gani Ige Adams, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the need for Yoruba people to join hands and ensure the southwest is not relegated to the background in Nigeria’s development.
“It is high time Yoruba people both at home and in the Diaspora joined hands to ensure that the southwest is not relegated to the background in the scheme of things in Nigeria,” Iba Adams said.
The Council also urged Yoruba leaders to establish structures that promote lasting peace, economic growth, security, good governance, and food security in the southwest.
“Yoruba leaders should join hands to put in place structures that will ensure security, buoyant economy, good governance and food security in the southwest,” the council advised.
The Council further commended Iba Adams for his dedication to promoting Yoruba culture and heritage, and urged the governors of the six southwest states to make the teaching of Yoruba language compulsory in all secondary schools across the southwest.
The Aare-in-Council reiterated its call for Nigeria’s restructuring through regionalism, emphasizing it as the only viable route to the country’s development.
“We restates our call for the restructuring of the country. It has become obvious that regionalism is the only sure-footed route to Nigeria’s development,” the statement said.
The Council expressed its readiness to work with the governors of the six southwest states on security matters to ensure that every form of criminality and insecurity is stamped out of the region.
“As members of the Aare-in-council, we remain committed to the defence of Yoruba race anywhere and everywhere,” the council added.
The meeting witnessed a large turnout of members in Nigeria and the Diaspora. Key attendees included Osi Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Kayode Balogun; Parakoyi Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Prof. Kolawole Raheem; and Baaroyin Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Shola Osunkeye.
Other attendees included Otun- Baaroyin Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Segun Ajiboye; Baamofin Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Kehinde Oluwole; and Baameto Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Akeem Ademola Ige.
