Afenifere, YCE raise joint committee on Yoruba agenda
By Clifford Ndujihe, Senior Political Reporter
IN a bid to consolidate their re-union the Pan-Yoruba socio-economic and political organisation, Afenifere, and the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) have raised a joint committee to refashion the Yoruba agenda.
Made up of 10 prominent leaders of both groups, the committee would collate memoranda and suggestions on how to reposition the ethnic group from all willing Yoruba irrespective of political affiliations.
"Realising that ours is a great nation with avalanche of talents who are not necessarily in any group, we are calling for memoranda from willing Yoruba people to the committee. Such memoranda should focus on reviving values in Yorubaland, reshaping the economy, education, health, infrastructure, cultural beliefs, the political direction of Yoruba within the Nigerian federation and other subjects that may be relevant to the Yoruba agenda," joint statement said.
Signed by Dr Kunle Olajide (acting Secretary General, YCE) and Mr Yinka Odumakin (National Administrative Secretary, Afenifere, the statement said the leadership of the groups were delighted at the positive response of Yoruba people at home and in the Diaspora to their re-union.
At a crucial meeting at the residence of Pa Emmanuel Alayande, the YCE president in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday the leaders resolved to forget the acrimony of the past and work together for the development of the race.
"At last what ties us together has proven to be stronger than what separated us. Like cold water to a thirsty soul, the event has rekindled great hope in our people over the Yoruba project and provided a healing balm to the long agony over Yoruba unity," the leaders said.
Titled "Afenifere/YCE Float Committee: Call for Memoranda," the statement read in part: "For our dear country Nigeria, this is another lesson to learn from the Yoruba way and it is that if a national dialogue were convoked today tension would go down all over Nigeria, as all groups would be preparing their positions to be able to ventilate their views.
"However, we want to reassure all Yoruba that we appreciate the challenge, which the new initiative has brought up and we shall do all within our powers to ensure that their hope is not dashed."
Members of the committee from Afenifere are Chiefs Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae and Supo Shonibare, Senator Femi Okunrounmu and Jimi Agbaje. From the YCE are Chief Richard Akinjide, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Profs. Toun Ogunseye and Kayode Oyediran and Dr Dejo Raimi.
In a chat with The Guardian, Chief Oladipo Jimilehin a chieftain of he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the re-union was a product of a long reconciliatory effort that started a couple of months ago.
He said the race would be on the path to greatness once no member was barred from joining any political party of his choice.
