Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams has restated his beliefs in restructuring, saying it is the only
option for unity and peace in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2019 edition of Europe Summit, organized by the
Oodua Progressive Union(OPU) in Zurich, Switzerland, Adams said Nigerians in
the Diaspora have a role to play in projecting the image of the country
positively to the world.
He urged the Federal Government to use the resolution of the
2014 National Conference, as well as the 1960-1963 Republican constitution as
templates for restructuring.
The Yoruba Generalissimo, who is also the global convener of the
group presently in 87 countries across the world, also charged all members of
the group to cultivate the habit of building an enduring trust among
members.
He insisted that true federalism is truly the
best option for Nigeria.
Iba Adams, however, admitted that the recent partnership between
the Oodua Peoples Congress(OPC) and the Nigerian police is beginning to
yield positive results, saying the initiative has reduced the spate
of insecurity in the southwest region.
"We all have a stake in the Nigerian project because
whatever happens to the Yoruba nation affects us, and whatever happens to
Nigeria will definitely affect Africans and the world at large. Therefore, as the
global convener of this noble group, my job is primarily to set the pace, as we
continually promote and propagate the activities of our group.’ He noted.
Aare Gani Adams also advised all members of the group to
bring investors to Nigeria.
In his words, he said, "You are the
Nigeria ambassadors abroad, so, bring your friends, bring investors to Nigeria,
let Nigeria feel your impact. Nigerians are looking forward to seeing you
coming back home to develop your fatherland. We are expecting the best from
you, it is when you bring your friends, business associates and investors
that they can know, understand and appreciate the peculiar nature of the Yoruba
people in Nigeria." He said.
In his remarks, the Guest lecturer, Alhaji Mallami Azeez, spoke
about
Unity as a Panacea for Growth and Development of the Yoruba
nation.
He said recent happenings in the country have shown that
Yorubas can only get it right when there is peace and unity in the country.
Alhaji Azeez highlighted the roles of the traditional rulers in
ensuring the security and safety of the people at the grassroots, he also appealed to
the southwest governors to support and cooperate with the traditional
rulers in ensuring peace across the region
"Efforts should be made to seek unity among the royal
fathers, as well as all groups in the southwest, because once they cooperate
and work together as one big family, I think the region will definitely benefit
from the new development."
He reiterated.
Meanwhile, Head of Chancery, Nigerian Embassy in
Switzerland, Mrs. Oluwakemi Amuda
represented Nigeria ambassador in Switzerland.
She tasked the group to do everything within its rank
to build strong economic ties across all the 87 countries where OPU is present.
She noted also that the relationship among members and countries should be
based on mutual respect, and love, mostly, in the interest of the Yoruba race
and Nigeria in particular.
"As a group of Yoruba indigenes in the Diaspora, I want to
assure all members of OPU spreading across all the 87 countries in the
world that with all of you coming together as one big family, Nigeria
will, no doubt, regains its pride of place among the comity of great nations of
the world. We have the potentials to become one of the great countries in
the world." She said.
OPU Europe Coordinator, Akinrogun Victor Adewale, in his
remarks, urged members to be committed to the vision of the group,
saying OPU will build strong ties, using the platform of
the group to boost relationships across the globe. "We are here to
broaden the scope of our identity in the world and make a good impact in the
world." He stated
At the end of the summit, the group issued a communiqué. Part of
the resolutions, as contained in the communiqué, is to encourage all the
southwest governors to work on the unity of traditional rulers, and other
groups in the southwest, stating the need for effective security, unity and
peace in Nigeria.
All members of the group in Europe were present
at the summit, including the Europe Secretary, Mr. Jide Sanni, Organizing secretary,
Mr. Ojikutu, newly elected coordinator for
Switzerland, Mr.Abdul Salam Akeem Babatunde, European Union adviser, Mr. Marc
Oyetunde European union Financial Secretary, Chief Gani Wahab, and Mrs
Oluwakemi Amuda that led a powerful delegation of the Switzerland Embassy to
the summit.
