•Restates commitment to restructuring
Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Adams has urged members of the Yoruba Diaspora organization, the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) to come back home to develop Nigeria.
Adams made the charge during the annual lecture organised as part of the events of the 10th edition of the OPU World Congress in Osogbo, Osun state capital. More than 200 delegates of the organization attended the event.
Iba Adams stated also that OPU is not a political organisation, while noting that the security challenges in the country have pushed many away from the country.
Adams who is also the global convener of the organization spoke about the role the organization had been playing in the past 12 years.
He said the OPU, which is presently in 98 countries, had contributed immensely to the progress of Nigeria. He said the six South West states as well as Kwara and Kogi were supported by the OPU during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria..
“We spent over N10 million on palliatives shared to those states. OPU also assisted by contributing several millions of naira to families of victims of various cases of insecurity in Nigeria”
He also restated the need for restructuring, describing it as the best political ideology. He said restructuring would allow the six federating units to enjoy their own autonomy and develop at their own pace.
The guest lecturer, Prince Alamu Oyeniyi Oyeladun, who spoke on the theme, “Understanding our heritage to unlock our potential for a greater Yoruba,” “said the Yoruba is blessed to be one of the leading races in the world.
He stated further that the Yoruba culture is exceptional, saying it is the reason Brazil, Cuba and other South American countries embrace the African culture as exemplified by the Yoruba from Nigeria.
Onigbaye of Igbaye Kingdom, Oba Joseph Moronfoye Oni, also applauded Iba Adams for his
efforts in promoting Yoruba land.
Chairperson of the congress, Chief Mrs Alice Eniola, said over 200 delegates came from 98 countries for the event.