IBADAN — Octogenarian President of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Pa. Emmanuel Alayande has bowed to wishes of members of the Council as he stepped aside as the President of the Igbimo Agba Yoruba. Consequently, the Governor of the defunct Western Region, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (Rtd) has been appointed as the new president while Dr. Kunle Olajide succeeded late Justice Adewale Thompson as the secretary general of the socio-cultural organsation.
Addressing newsmen at his residence yesterday in Ibadan, Alayande who noted that the new leadership would inject "vibrancy" into the organisation added that the shake-up had been envisioned before the fourth plenary congress of the YCE held last week Friday.
While thanking Yorubas for the successful holding of the congress, Alayande stressed the need for all Yorubas "to be united in order to face challenges ahead because the tasks are no doubt, formidable as the YCE is poised to confront them successfully". The new president, General Adebayo (rtd) noted in his acceptance speech that he was poised to providing good leadership for the body.
His words: "First of all, I have to show leadership which is very important and which we lack at the moment. At the moment also, the Yoruba are in pieces, we are in disarray, we have to put our house together, it is left for me to chart an aim for all of us". He explained that the organisation would remain non-partisan in politics, adding that the new focus would be the unity of Yoruba irrespective of political ideology and social status.
"We want to discuss with all Yoruba groups. We want to convince the people that we are up to the task; what people want is what they can eat and wear and also where to sleep. We would strive to ensure all Yorubas get all these" Adebayo said.
Fielding questions on why the YCE appointed nine vice-presidents as against the two it had before the shake-up, the new secretary general, disclosed that the need to spread to the grassroots and other states in the South West necessitated the increase. Under the new leadership structure in YCE, Alayande now becomes the patron while Chief H.I.D. Awolowo remains the patroness. The vice-presidents are Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, Chief Richard Akinjide, Mrs. Fola Ighodalo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief O. P. Edodo (Delta), Prof. Akin Ajayi (Plateau), High Chief Bayo Akinola (Ondo) and Professor Adebayo Adedeji (Ogun).
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