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Adeola Odusanya
National President
On the Occasion of the 14th Annual National Convention of
the
Egbé Omo Yorùbá, North
America
Double Tree Hotel Ball Room
4500 West Cypress Street
Tampa, Florida, USA
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Èyin Omo Oòduà. N’bo la nlo?
Ladies and Gentlemen, there has never been a better time for this
theme than now. There can never be any development in a nation without
unity and there will be no unity without love. Some of us remember
the era of “wetie.” That was over thirty years ago and
I wish I could say that all of the problems that led to that unfortunate
episode in our history has been solved and forgotten. Unfortunately,
they still linger.
The Yorùbá has failed to adhere to the admonition,
as entrenched in our national anthem, “the labors of our heroes
past, shall never be in vain, to serve with all our heart, one nation
bound in freedom, peace and unity.” Of course, unity is the
requirement for stability and peace in our land. Unity is neither
in our land nor with us the people; therefore, peace and stability
are always threatened.
In the next few months, we shall be going to the polls to elect
those that will represent us for the next four years. In any human
life, one thousand four hundred and sixty days should be significant
enough to make a change. I will therefore appeal to all Nigerians
especially the Yorùbá to go to the polls and elect
leaders with an ideology of purpose; leaders with vision who are
selfless. We all know that with good leadership, development will
follow.
I use this opportunity to call on the President Olúségun
Obásanjó’s Administration, to release the shackles
and stranglehold over INEC and allow it to do its job in the short
time it has left to execute the general elections. We do not need
to reiterate the job ahead of INEC, but given the nature of the Nigerian
political atmosphere, as much time as possible is needed by INEC
to accomplish the task ahead of it and it is already running behind.
I also call on all the Yorùbá in the Nigerian Senate
and the Nigerian House of Assembly not to just sit on the sideline
and let things get out of hand. We ask that you demand and ensure
that INEC be allowed to execute its constitutional responsibilities,
beginning with the immediate release of the election schedule, including
the filing deadlines for all offices.
On the other hand, we the citizenry must make sure Yorubaland is
not turned again into a battle zone over political means.
Èyin omo Oòduà. Before the petroleum era, the
Nigerian economy was centered on the Yorùbá Economy.
Now, what has happened to our farm settlements? What happened to
our cocoa industries? What happened to all our agricultural crops?
Where is Odua Development Corporation today?
In the banking industry, the Yorùbá used to be leaders. What
happened to all the “Alajos?” Our fellow Nigerians turned
their “Alajo’s” into mega banks and we big corporations
in our major cities, turning us into workers and foreigners in our
own land. In the newspaper industry, we used to be proud of
our achievements, it is very sad to stand here before you honorable
and distinguished Yorùbá personalities and tell you
that the Yorùbá writers do not have control of any
of the major mass media outlets in Nigeria.
Èyin omo Oòduà, are we going to allow all these
achievements to die? Destiny will not forgive us. What legacy are
we going to pass down to the next generation? Distinguished ladies
and gentlemen, what has happened to our “Yorùbá Agenda?” We
cannot achieve any development when we continue to have this inter-fighting
amongst ourselves.
Èyin omo Oòduà. Some of you may remember a
group called “Afénifére” back in the fifties. This
Egbé Afénifére used to be the apex body for
all Yorùbá organizations worldwide. Those leaders,
most of who are now of blessed memories, had visions and they were
selfless. It is a shame to all of us that in the year 2006 the Yorùbá do
not have one voice on any issue that affect our people. The other
groups borrowed this idea from the Afénifére and see
how far they have gotten. Hábà? Yorùbá E ‘jé k’a
ro ‘nú.
On behalf of the Yoruba in Diasporas, I am appealing to all of us
here today, that we join hands and resolve the issue dividing the
Afénifére if for nothing, for the development and peace
in our homeland. We all should resolve to stand firm on one (1) Afenifere
not two (2) Aféniféres’. We should not allow
anyone no matter his or her position in Nigeria to divide us the
Yorùbá. We should also not allow the love of the Naira
or the almighty Dollar or Pound Sterling, to divide us.
My vision for the Yorùbá is that peace and unity will
reign on every side of our communities, in our Country Nigeria and
beyond.
The Egbé is prepared to dialogue and open new areas of developments
and do everything it can to be part of the solution. However,
we cannot do it alone. We need those of you at home who are on the
forefront, who really care and are prepared to make some sacrifices
and help redevelop our motherland. Under this administration, the
rebirth of Móremí is set to begin tonight at this convention
with the goal of allowing the Egbé to have a bite that fits
its bark. We ask that you join us in this effort.
In conclusion I would like to thank you all once again for making
it out to Tampa today. In Unity let us begin to rebuild Yorùbáland.
Together let us join forces to reform our processes for the betterment
of all of us and our children and the generation after them. Like
the Yorùbá anthem sings, E jé k’a
fì mò sò kan, ní torí ilè bàbá wa.
Láti tun se, láti gbe ga, fún ìlo sí wájú rere.” Let
this be our mantra and our call for unity, peace and progress.
Oòduà a gbè wa o. Àse Edumare.
A dele bare, a rina kore. Ire loju owo nri. Ire na aba wa kale o
nile ati loko. Àse Edumare. Ese púpò.
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