PRESS RELEASE
MAY 28th , 2024 AT THE IKEJA AIRPORT HOTEL LAGOS.
Gentlemen of the Press.
INTRODUCING THE ÌGBÌMO OMO YORÙBA (YORUBA DESCENDANTS COUNCIL)
The ÌGBÌMO OMO YORÙBA (YORÙBÁ DESCENDANTS COUNCIL) is a Yoruba socio-cultural foundation established for the purpose of renewing, recreating and rebranding our socio-cultural values that preserve our heritage, and our wellbeing all over the world, now and for future generations. To project and preserve our OMOLUABI ethos and core values of diligence, hard work, and excellence to further our progress within the federation of Nigeria.
The ÌGBÌMO OMO YORÙBA became very necessary at this point in our history as a people after a critical review of the events of over a century in our country – Nigeria, examining the progress of our people, where we were, where we are, where we ought to be, and where we are headed. We realized there is an urgent need to redirect the course of our ship and chart a new course under a renewed thinking and dedication to the Yoruba course. We are now in a new dawn. Ise Si Po Fun Wa La Ti Se (There are daunting tasks ahead for us).
We shall remind ourselves where we are coming from. From the era of our contact with the Europeans, their subsequent incursions and its legacies of slave trade and colonialism. To the period of trades and protectorate treaties, the amalgamation of the Southern protectorate of means with the Northern protectorate; Through to the period of Yoruba self-rule in the 1950s ably led by our illustrious sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo Òdòlé Ilé-Ifè and his eminent team that showcased the dexterity of the Yoruba people in development planning, public management, and good governance to the world and to the envy of others. This was the golden period for the Yoruba ushered in independence from the British colonial rulers in 1960.
The post-independence events that led to the 1st military coup, the counter coup, and other chain of events that snowballed into the civil war and the prolonged northern cling to central power through military coups. We shall also remember the dangerous politics of the short-lived 1st and 2nd republics. The failed attempt at democracy in the 1993 and the annulment of the election widely acclaimed to be the cleanest and fairest in our history with Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola coasting to victory and the events that followed leading to his incarceration and eventual death in detention. More so since the return to democracy in 1999, a review of the stock and general wellbeing of the Yoruba people have necessitated need for a rethink in our approach to matters of common interest and collective good as a people and a race.
Throughout history, our landmark achievements have been well-documented by historians, voyagers, and writers as a very vibrant people with so much sophistication, governance and organization not seen in anywhere on the continent. We are first among our equals. From our dwellings and evolution in the lands of our ancestors, the existence of our people in their empire and kingdoms with all the features of a civilized society comparable to anywhere in the world with Kings, Chiefs, Royals, and Military. Our enterprises in agriculture, commodity, and businesses with farms, metal works, arts and craft, cotton weaving and dress making, market, forests, swamps, rivers, seas, and the ocean. Ours is a complete global economy. But things have suddenly changed or perhaps have been changing while we didn’t take notice.
We have observed with increasing concern and dismay what appears to be the deteriorating fortunes of Yorubaland and people, the increasing poverty, ignorance and disorder amongst our people, especially at the grassroots and the very steady descent into the bleakness of an uncertain future for the coming generations.
We have observed with well-founded sadness, that suddenly in Yorubaland and amongst the majority of our people, the children of butchers now eat bones, those of the cloth weavers wear rags and the farmers children go to bed on empty stomachs.
We have observed a pattern of urban-rural migration which overtime has practically emptied the villages of our hinterlands reducing them to ghost centers, the unduly suffocating city centers and gradually the new and frightening levels of brain drain, a phenomenon now famously tagged “Jápa”.
We have watched keenly as our customs and culture being aggressively corrupted, our shared values being carelessly thrown out the windows of ignorance; all our rallying points including the exalted thrones of our Obaship being ridiculed and the sacred memories of our proud ancestors openly mocked even by our own children.
Suddenly we are caught in a confused social order of uncertain identity where our children and many adults know next-to-nothing about our peculiar history.
We have come to the realization, quite logically, that these are pointers to road of extinction of a people. What we have in our hands are great existential threats which must be attended to accordingly with all sense of commitment and duty. The ÌGBÌMO OMO YORÙBA became very necessary at this critical point to bridge the gap between the old and young generation of our people.
OUR OBJECTIVES:
- To promote Yoruba cultural practices and customs, and launch attitudinal change campaign against negative stereotypes and disinformation about our culture and our person. This will ultimately encourage a re-establishment of faith with our ancestors, culture, traditions, values, and everything of our Omolúàbí which once stood us out as a race apart in black Africa and indeed the world.
- To preserve and promote Yoruba identity all over the world through our Language, in its various dialects, Traditions, Culture, and History.
- To renew pride in all Yoruba sons and daughters and promote a mindset and experience of the spirits and letters of the Yoruba National Anthem.
- To champion Yoruba cultural advocacy for reorientation of our people towards improving upon the quality of life of every Yoruba citizen where they may be.
- To inspire and spread our cultural heritage, industry, unity, and love to the world with positive impact in communities where we live, work, and socialize.
- To utilize the resourcefulness of Yoruba people and friends within and outside authorities to further the course of our people.
- To awake the consciousness of all Yoruba people home and abroad to further our unity and progress.
- To engender a revival of our lost passion, love and loyalty for ourselves and motherland by promoting wholistic education and our values through enlightenment by way of rigorous intellectual campaign via written, audio, and visual efforts.
- To work assiduously in bridging the gap of knowledge transfer between our departing Elders of the old generation and the upcoming youths of the new generation.
- To promote indigenous Yoruba Festival, Ancient sites, customs, and traditions through regular updates especially by encouraging massive investments in tourism.
- To interface with agencies and organizations in public and private sectors to device all available options to revive our rural hinterland communities, discourage rural-urban migration and promote massive interest in communal agriculture on a mechanized scale and with emphasis on farm settlements style.
- To continuously engage and collaborate with authorities on matters that may further the progress of Yoruba people home and abroad.
It is our hope, aspiration, desire and determination to provide for the multitude of our people in Yorubaland the much-needed self-awareness, encouragement, and information that makes for transformation. This is the time for enlightenment, inspiration, and gentle push needed to awaken our sense of collective responsibility for our collective good. At this point in time of our history in Yorubaland we must wake up to the reality that NO MESSIAH is coming to rescue us, or do the things for us which we are well equipped to do ourselves.
On this journey, from Jebba, Bode-Saadu, Yagba, Kabba and all Okun land the spirit of our gallant ancestors will never break faith with us.From Òkè-Ìgẹ́tì in Ekiti, to Òkè-Ìtasè in the ancient city of Ilé-Ifè, the wisdom of Orunmila will be with us. From the Hills of Idanre and our Coastline in Ilaje-Ese Odo the Spirit of our ancestors will rise to be with us. The Seven Hills of Ibadan will answer to voices of the great men who have walked those paths and together with the ancient throne in Oyo Alaafin, we will be led aright.
The Spirit of Olumo in Ẹgba and Agẹmọ in Ijebu will speak in our favour. In Eko, the Aworiland of aquatic splendor, Olókùn will rise in our support. L
It is going to be a daunting, backbreaking and possibly thankless task but we are confident that OLÓDÙMARÈ, the one who directs the affairs of men, and the spirit of our ancestors are with us on this noble journey, and will guide us on this.
Gentlemen of the Press, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen on behalf of the Board of Trustees ably led by Chief Rotimi Olowoyo, I am pleased to formally announce and present to you on this day The ÌGBÌMO OMO YORÙBA [ YORÙBÁ DESCENDANTS COUNCIL] as an umbrella body for projection, promotion, and preservation of Yorubaland, her people, interests, culture, values, tradition, history, and heritage in Nigeria and all over the world. The body shall be a forum for galvanizing our collective energies and harnessing our resourcefulness to further the development and progress of Yorubaland and her people home and abroad.
Thank you.
Adedamola Adetayo
CONVENER.
Great!