AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde, President, Council of Yoruba Elders, says that unity of purpose among the Yoruba people globally is the rationale behind the launch of the new socio-cultural organisation.
Onigbinde spoke at a press conference by the group held at the Oduduwa House, along Iwo-Road, Idi Ape, Ibadan, Oyo State in reaction to insinuations that emerged among the Yoruba groups shortly after being appointed as the President of CYE.
According to him, CYE is not, in any way, opposed to the course of other Yoruba groups, rather it was committed to ensuring that the Yoruba people maintain the lead in nation building.
The former Super Eagles National Coach, said, “The core mandate of CYE is to ensure that we are in best position to play our roles for the interest of our race and our country at large. For us to achieve this, we must be united, all hands must be on deck, we must forget all our differences. For now, we don’t have one voice as a race. We must all come together, put our resources, knowledge and wisdom together, it is through this that we can have a strong voice.
“This organisation is open to all Yoruba sons and daughters both at home and abroad for ideas and support of any kind. We formed this organization with the good intention of moving our country forward. The interest of our race is paramount on our agenda and for us to achieve this, our unity is non negotiable.
“I want to specially thank Her Royal Highness, Erelu Abiola Dosumu, the Erelu Kuti I of Lagos and Yeye Oodua of the Source, for agreeing to work with us on this mission of Yoruba renaissance in her capacity as the Grand-Patroness of this organisation. It will be recalled that on the day of the event, she was appointed as the Vice President of the Council, but we later considered her for elevation to the status of the Grand-Patroness of the Council.”
In his address at the gathering, the Secretary General of CYE, Dr Victor Taiwo, said, “We cannot continue to fool ourselves; most Yoruba groups that we know have been polarized by political or personal interest.
“We cannot continue to pretend as if we don’t know what is going on. Hausa people have a formidable group that champion their interest, which is Arewa Consultative Forum. They speak with one voice irrespective of their political differences. Igbo people also have their own which is called the Ohaneze Ndigbo. But here in Yorubaland, Afenifere group has been polarized.
“We now have Afenifere Renewal Group and so many other factions. The Yoruba Council of Elders has also been factionalized. There is Pa Rueben Fasonrati’s group and there is Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s group, so we are no longer speaking with one voice and it is so sad. We cannot move forward with all these mess; we need a strong and formidable group that will be championing our interest at the national level too.
“This is what gave birth to the Council of Yoruba Elders that was officially launched on Thursday 31st August, 2023 at the House of Chiefs here in Ibadan. The event was a successful one attended by illustrious sons and daughters of Yoruba race from different parts of the world. Enough is enough, we must move forward.
“We Yorubas are so brilliant, we are known for our brilliance but it is so sad because when it comes to wisdom to speak with one voice, we are lagging behind. Politics has divided us, personal interest has divided us, we need to forget all these and come together for the betterment of our race and for the interest of our nation at large.”
The executive members of the CYE include Hakeem Danmola, National Treasurer; Erelu Tijani, National Financial Secretary; Mr Lanre Ogundipe, Publicity Secretary; Elder Taiye Ayorinde, Chairman Mediation and Reconciliation Committee; Prince Bowofade Aderemi, Legal Adviser; AIG Bola Alonge (retd.), Security Adviser; Chief Simisade Kuku, Chairman Women Affairs; Princess Dorcas Amusan-Fagborun, Chairman Diaspora; Mr Muhammed Babatunde Aliyu, Chairman Public Awareness; and Prof. Olukayode Ogundoro, Administrative Secretary.
Also in attendance at the press conference are Prof. Kayode Ogundoro, Chief Olu Alege Olaseyi, Mogaji Ogunsola Anisere, Alhaja Bisola Quadri, Chief Dara Odunjo, Comrade Wale Alabi, Dr. Tope Taiwo, Mr Rahaman Adebayo and Mrs Bose Oni, among others.
