Afenifere Meets President Tinubu, Reechoes Restructuring, State Police

By Ayodele Oni

Leader of Pan Yoruba Socio -Cultural Organization, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Wednesday led a delegation of the group to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Fasoranti, in his address during the courtesy visit, commended President Tinubu for his efforts at changing the narratives about the country, adding that the organization acknowledged his commitment to the progress and development of the country.

He urged the president to consider the expeditious implementation of the demands of the organization, including the restructuring of the country, construction of major roads especially in the South West, among other demands.

Other requests include state police with the leader saying “Afenifere is in support of the campaign for state police. We believe this would enhance the security of life and property.

‘We also want Your Excellency to look at the command structures of Federal Security agencies to ensure equity and justice in the posting and deployments of senior officers.

“Equity should also reflect in the recruitment of security officers from the bottom up. It is not good for the future of our country if one section of it has some of the security agencies in its pocket.”

Fasoranti also noted that “Unemployment has become a big burden for our country where we have more than 70 percent of the population below the age of 30.

“We would like to appeal that Federal Government capital projects, including road construction, should be geared towards creating employments.

“This is necessary because it is becoming increasingly fashionable for politicians to prefer foreign companies to carry out jobs that can be competently done by Nigerian companies.

“For example, if Nigerians cannot build train engines, we can at least start from building train coaches! If Mr President would allow us, we would submit proposal for employment using the existing artisans throughout the country to institute a national apprenticeship training system that would take millions of youths from the street.”

He assured that “Afenifere would not abandon you in fair or foul weather as long as you remain faithful to the principles of integrity, fairness, competence and courage that we expect of you as the Leader of our Republic.

“All the leaders and elders of Yorubaland are with you. All our mothers and youths are standing by you as you carry out this your historic assignment.”