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Yoruba Diaspora organization, Yoruba One Voice(YOV) at the weekend urged all stakeholders, including traditional rulers,leaders of thoughts and socio- cultural groups to look beyond politics and further strengthen the bond of unity across Yoruba land.
YOV made the appeal at the Yoruba One Voice International Conference held held via zoom with over 1000 participants from the six continents of the world.
The conference,which is the first in the series of the programmes of the diaspora organization was titled: "Decolonizing Yoruba land:Speak up speak out.
In his remarks Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams said the unity of Yoruba
is key to the development and progress of the race, adding that the struggle for the decolonization of Yoruba land is a collective effort and responsibility that should be based on the best approach geared towards restoring the lost glory of Yoruba race.
Iba Adams,who is also the Grand Patron of the diaspora organization insisted that Yoruba must wake up from their slumber in order to take their pride of place among other races in the world.
"The Yoruba are where we are today because we have lost touch with those core values that are key to the progress of our race.
Our language, culture and tradition have gone into extinction.The religious institution has also failed to re-invent the true gospel of God.
"The political class has also done everything to divide us along political line and politicians have failed to play by the rule.
"The recent election held by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) under Prof.Mahmud Yakubu was an internal political colonialism that was condemned by the global and international communities.
"By not using the BVAs as promised and failure to transmit election results electronically, the electoral umpire did not play by the rule as it organized the worst election in the history of Nigeria.The entire system is mired in distrust and we continue to witness untoward happenings across the country.
"There is urgent need for us to wake up from our slumber and take our destinies in our own hands.
"The Yoruba must go back to the basics because without justice, there will be no peace.The problem we experience daily in Yoruba land today came as a result of our negligence and failure to take our pride of place as a race.
Yoruba are a great people.We are the first and most respected in terms of culture. Our tradition is wonderful and we have unique language that spreads even beyond the shores of Nigeria.
"But we continue to lose the glory when our culture and traditions were taken away from us. Our precious qualities in language, dressing and totality of our being as a race gone into extinction.And we lost everything to civilization.
Speaking on the topic:"Decolonizing Yoruba land:Speak Up ,Speak Out, Mr.Frank Bello, stressed the need to take up the challenges of bringing out the best quality of Yoruba race, saying the race had what it takes to best among all races.
Bello,who is a united Kingdom( UK) based Publisher and veteran journalist said Yoruba language is a major tool towards decolonizing Yorubaland.
He added also that Yoruba can make tremendous progress by adopting Japan's model of using their language to acquire basic knowledge in sciences and arts.
"Let us promote our language, build our foundation from the basics.It is
possible for the Yoruba to have a Yoruba dictionary published in our language,so as to aid our learning and understanding as it is done in Japan and other Europe countries.
"We must secure our land politically by going back to regional autonomy where the Western region economy was most vibrant and strong.
"We all have very important roles to play in our efforts to decolonize Yoruba land,and in doing that we must speak up and speak out about
the dynamics of our language as a tool towards decolonization of Yoruba land.
Meanwhile,General Secretary of YOV, Prince Ademiluyi stated that the Yoruba diaspora organization would continue to seek regional autonomy as the best system of government,adding that YOV will consistently go about its demand for self determination in a lawful manner with global approach.
In his remarks, Professor Kolawole Raheem applauded the virtues of Yoruba race.He said the Yoruba are a very accommodating people that usually go by the rule, either within or outside their domains.
"Yoruba will not go against the law of the land, whether they are within or outside their land.So,it will be disastrous for anybody to say our land, Yoruba land is a 'no man's land'.Our land is our heritage and we will protect it with all our might and strength.
Erelu Abike Ade,in her submission, maintained that the struggle for the decolonization of Yoruba land is a gradual process and approach.
She admitted also that efforts must be made to promote indigenous language and culture in order to foster unity and progress of Yoruba race.
No fewer than1000 participants across the world attended the conference that was live-streamed and anchored by Prince Adesegun Dosunmu.
Also present were Chief Gboyega Adejumo,Prince Adio Sunmonu from United Kingdom,Chiefs Victor Adewale and fAlhaji Ganiyu Wahab from Sweden,Chief Mark Oyetunji, Akogun TNT from Malaysia,
Otunba segun Ogunpitan from Senegal,Prince marc oyetunde from Germany,Prince Adedapo Aladesanmi from South Africa,
Otunba Agbeke Ade from Canada, Mr Ovie Emmanuel from Japan, Mr Olumuyiwa Samuel Oguniyi from Philippine and Olori Adedipe from Canada .
Others were Asiwaju Kayode Emmanuel from Mali,Yeyeluwa Alice Eniola from United States of America,Chief Mrs.Funmi Olumade, (Iyameto)from Canada, Baba Oodua Canada,Otunba Adewale Adepoju, Chairman Board of Directors OPU Canada, Alhaji Layi Rasak and Mr adeyanju also from Canada were also present at the zoom meeting.
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