*Holds leaders’ retreat in Ibadan
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
A new group, the Yoruba Intellectual Elites Forum (YIEF) has said there is the need for an efficiently-transformed, industrially-developed, economically-independent and politically-viable Yorubaland.
YIEF made this known at a Yoruba Political Summit and its Leaders’ Retreat held at Infinity Grace Event Centre, Odo-Ona Kekere in Ibadan.
President of the group, Alhaja Ronke Kolade Carew while addressing newsmen said YIEF is not a partisan political group, but an association of politically-minded and intellectually-sound Yoruba sons and daughters who are desirous of having an efficiently-transformed, industrially-developed, economically-independent and politically-viable Yorubaland.
She maintained that the formation became necessary in view of the recent styles of Yoruba politicians and their disregard to all forms of commitments towards the timely development of both Yorubaland and Yoruba people, saying, ” the need to actively engage and remind them of what is due for both Yorubaland and Yoruba people gave rise to this group.
“With our members cutting across all active political parties, this is a frontline pressure group on all politicians and traditional rulers to make the Omoluabi dream a reality without any secessionist undertone. In true Nigeria we all believe”, she said.
Alhaja Carew added, “We have been idle enough awaiting ‘whatever’ our elected and appointed leaders sprinkle on us after eating-out almost everything meant for everyone. So my people, let us find this as a valiant opportunity to timely ask for what is due for us all from those appointed and elected to represent us,”
The group Publicity Secretary, Mr. Adewale Justus while speaking said their coming together as Yoruba Forum was premised on the fact that there is something very common in Yorubaland which is called the Omoluabi mantra.
“What does Omoluabi means, we’re courteous and we’re conscious but unfortunately within the polity of the country, we are people that have lost almost all because we have been keeping with the Omoluabi mantra”, he said
Mr Justus added, ” What does Omoluabi means, we’re courteous and we’re conscious but unfortunately within the polity of the country, we are people that have lost almost all because we have been keeping with the Omoluabi mantra, and what does it portend, you should wait until is giving to you, but unfortunately that has crashed all that we should have earned.”
“Go to Minna in Niger, go to Daura in Kastina State and go to Port Harcourt in Rivers State and see the impact their sons and children in government have brought to bear, but unfortunately for ours in Yorubaland because of the Omoluabi mantra we tend to wait for the leaders to bring whatever is ours but unfortunately we have lost out.
He stressed further, “We decided to come together with a vision to resuscitate the Omoluabi idea one, then we want to project the political viability of Yorubaland and number three we want to make the Yorubaland achieve what is due for yorubaland, but how do we achieve this, we are collaborating with our top ranking traditional rulers and politicians, either by appointments or elections across the political cadre of the country and cause them unlike waiting with the Omoluabi mantra before, force them to bring unto our land what is due for us.”
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