By Akinwale Kasali
Pan Yoruba Group, Youth Patriots Movement, is set to navigate the future of the Yoruba, in a move to have the Oduduwa Republic it has been clamouring for.
In this vein, a summit of Yoruba leaders, eminent personalities and cross section of stakeholders is set to hold in Ibadan, Oyo state on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 10am.
The Summit, conveyed under the aegis of Yoruba Patriots Movement with the theme “Yoruba Nation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” is scheduled for the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
It is to be held in strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols, and will feature a virtual component to facilitate the participation of wide spectrum of stakeholders in the affairs of Yoruba nation.
The Summit will deliberate on prevailing and future socio-political challenges as well as prospects of Yoruba nation with emphasis on issues that bother on the welfare, security and mutual coexistence of Yoruba people within a peaceful, stable and united Nigeria.
It is to be co-chaired by General Alani Akinrinade, former Chief of Defence Staff and High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, former Governor of Oyo State, and will have in attendance present and former governors as well as notable past and present political office holders in the six southwest States of Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. The Summit will receive royal blessings from custodians of Yoruba Traditional institutions: Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), Ooni of Ife; Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi (II), Alaafin of Oyo.
Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo (II), Alake of Egba Land; Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos; Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom; Oba Rufus Aladesanmi (II), Ewi of Ado Ekiti; Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Oguguniso I), Olubadan of Ibadan Land; Oba Sikiru Adetona, The Awujale of Ijebu Land; Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi (Afuntade I), Alawe of Ilawe; Oba (Dr.) Aderemi Alayemore, the Olujudo of Ido-Osun.
Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Professor Yemi Osinbajo will declare the Summit open. Prominent Yoruba political chieftains and opinion leaders expected at the Summit include Afenifere patriarch, Chief Reuben Fasoranti; Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Chief Afe Babalola, Aare Gani Adams amongst others.
Key resource persons for the Summit include Pastor Tunde Bakare, Latter Rain Assembly; Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Former Nigeria Ambassador to Phillipine; Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation; Professor Ayoade Oduola, Director, University of Ibadan Research Foundation; Professor Siyan Oyefeso, Director General, Centre of African Culture, Osogbo; Professor Adegbenga Onabamiro, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan and Senator Smart Adeyemi representing Kogi West.
A communiqué on the way forward that approximates the concerns and expectations of Yoruba nation in Nigeria will emanate from deliberations at the Summit.
This was disclosed by Engr. Adekunle Olayinka, Secretary, Planning Committee for PAN Yoruba Summit Conveners in a statement made available to Newsmen.
