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Fashola Calls On Yoruba Race To Evolve A Standard Way Of Doing Things

Apr 24, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Saturday called on the Yoruba race to evolve a distinct way of doing things which would not only be standard but reflect the age long tradition which the Yoruba have always maintained.

Governor Fashola who spoke as the Chief Host at a Public Lecture titled: “Oodua, Know Thyself”, organized by the Afenifere Renewal Group and delivered by Professor Banji Akintoye at the City Hall, Lagos added that when such a way is evolved, it would become the Yoruba identity.

He explained that now is the time for leaders of the Yoruba nation to define what should be Yoruba cause, lamenting that the Yoruba nation which hitherto dictated the pace has lost the momentum.

Governor Fashola said it was regrettable that certain things and acts which ordinarily a Yoruba man would not indulge in has now been embraced and being done without remorse by the Yoruba.

While agreeing with the guest lecturer, Governor Fashola said the Yoruba had a very rich indigenous system of government which was bastardised when the European colonialists came.

He said some of the questions that should be agitating the mind of every Yoruba man is: ‘What is the Yoruba agenda? Do we still want to be a nation within the Nigerian federation or outside it.?

He reiterated that part of the question to be pondered over is: “What are going to be the rules of engagements.? The rules that typifies us as a nation. Rules that must not be broken, such that even if you all belong to different political leaning or association, there must be something Yoruba about what you do and say. No matter what: “The calabash must not be broken”.

Earlier, in his address, former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged the people to ensure that as another election period approaches, they are registered as voters.

He advised that if the people allow themselves to be disenfranchised and turn round to give excuses they would remain in poverty as it is only electoral power that could be used to liberate the nation.

While reminding the Yoruba people that freedom is not served ala carte, he said if people like Dr Kayode Fayemi and Engineer Rauf Aregbesola had not decided to wage a legal struggle to reclaim their mandates in Ekiti and Osun States respectively, they would not have been hopeful of victory at the courts now.

Earlier, while delivering the lecture titled: ‘Oodua, Know Thyself’, the guest lecturer and Professor Emeritus of History, Professor Banji Akintoye who was represented by Mr Remi Oyeyemi said the Yoruba nation needs to speak with one voice and avoid the discordant tunes being sung now.

Professor Akintoye added that all Yoruba must march forward as a strong and united family because marching forward as one family will ensure that all Yoruba evolve a new politics of inclusion which will render unnecessary all the groupings of today.

Prominent among those who attended the event were the Chairman of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Honourable Wale Oshun, former Governor of Osun State and Chairman of the Action Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Bamidele Olomilua, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress, Chief Henry Ajomale and many other guests.