September 24, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
Professor Banji Akintoye, leader of the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, has called on South West Governors and Monarchs to officially declare September 23 as Yoruba Unity Day.
He said this in a statement to mark the anniversary of Yoruba Unity Day.
Akintoye made this appeal amidst growing concerns over the region’s security and well-being, citing alleged killings of 29,000 Yoruba people by suspected Fulani bandits and ongoing destruction of farmlands.
Professor Akintoye said, “Obas, the fathers of our nation, should adopt this Yoruba unity day in their Councils of Obas in all our Yoruba States. I urge that our Governors, when they assemble in their Southwest Governors meeting, to adopt this Yoruba unity day for all our states.”
The renowned historian emphasized that separation from Nigeria may be the only viable option for the Yoruba Nation due to continued threats to life and livelihood.
“The only viable and sustainable answer to all this horrible situation is to separate our Yoruba nation from Nigeria, and to establish our own country where we shall be able to exercise our sovereignty to provide security for our land and people, and where we shall be able to run our economy decently in the way that we Yoruba know.” He noted