By Abiola Olawale (The New Diplomat’s Southwest Bureau)
The Yoruba Council of Youths and Women Worldwide (Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye) met with His imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife ahead of the 2021 grand finale edition of the World Omoluabi (virtuous) Day scheduled for May 1, 2021.
This was contained in a statement made available to The New Diplomat on Monday by the President of the Yoruba group, Oladotun Hassan.
The group also disclosed in the statement that they will be patronising the local adire fabrics made by the O’odua Adire Textile Hub for the celebration of 2021 World Omoluabi (Virtuous) Day themed ‘Isokan Yoruba’ (Unity of the Yorubas)
The celebration of the World Omoluabi (Virtuous) Day is a yearly celebration aimed at bringing honour, prestige and dignity to the referred aesthetic cultural heritage of the Yoruba nation.
Equally, the statement disclosed that the group met with the Ooni of Ife on a report submitted to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, regarding the compensation of Southwest for the monumental losses as a result of aggravated Insecurity, and the food blockage from the North.
According to the statement, the group had submitted its compensation demands to the Federal Government through Governor Bello.
The statement reads: “The leadership of the apex Yoruba umbrella group: Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye (Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide and Yoruba Council of Women Worldwide) led by the Global President, Aare Oladotun Hassan, Executive Secretary, YCYW Akowe Odo Oodua Omoluabi Abdulhakeem Adeleke, Aare Akinkanju Oodua, Prince Adeleke Olukoya, Ogun State Chairman and Secretary, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW) Asoju Oodua Omoluabi Sunday Adebowale and Akọwe Odo Ogun Omoluabi Ajibode Abdulkabir Olawale, Chief of Staff, Hon. Shola Olumola, Osun State Chairman, YCYW Prince Ademola Toromade, Global Coordinator, Deputy Global Coordinator and Publicity Secretary of Yoruba Council of Women Worldwide (YCWW), Aarebirin Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Princess Oluwakemi Shoyebi (Shokesta), Yeye Hilda Oduwole-Busari respectively are proud to meet His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, Princess Adekemi Fadojutimi, Managing Director, Ile-Ife Grand Resorts and Managing Director of Adire Oodua Textile Hub, Princess Aderonke Ademiluyi today 21st of March, 2021 at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Enu-owa Osun State.”
“We are indeed proud to associate with the foremost highest royal stool in Yoruba Land, while eqaully patronising the local content industry of our agelong fabrics: Adire textile manufactured by Oodua Adire Textile Hub.
“This year’s grand finale edition is slated for 1st of May, 2021 at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Osun State by 2pm, with the theme “Isokan Yoruba”.
“We are using this medium to invite all sons and daughters of Oduduwa to this epoch making event and best unique celebration of all yoruba decendants globally.
“As part of the visit, Aare Oladotun Hassan delivered report of activities so far, particularly on Governor Yahaya Bello’s meeting with his leadership on Yoruba demands for onward submission through the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari on Southwest compensation for the monumental losses as a result of aggravated insecurity, Fulani herdsmen terrorists attacks, farmland invasions, gross abandonment of the youths, and Endsars destructions, in response to the aftermath of the Northern Food Stuff and Cattle Breeders Union strikes and compensation demands through Governor Yahaya Bello to the Federal Government.
“He reported on the submitted aggregated multiple demands bordering on: Southwest Development Commission, Southwest Agricultural Economic Development Zone Agency, National Youth Development Commission, National Joint Regional Security Network Agency, National Education Right Laws and Youth Right Act to mention a few.
“He informed that Governor Yahaya Bello will be visiting Ile-Ife as part of further discussion and response on our demands, while he is expected to grace the epoch making event alongside other Distinguished guests to the 3rd World Omoluabi Day Festival come 1st of May, 2021.
“Nigeria’s peace and unity is pivotal to the Yorubas, hence we need to protect it from extinction,” the statement said.
