Fellow Yoruba, let’s break this curse

It is saddening that with our wisdom, knowledge and level of awareness, we are not living up to expectations.

The Yoruba are suffering and the suffering is because of the curse placed on the Yoruba race by Alaafin Aole in 1835. I think it is high time we broke the curse.

Since Alaafin Aole placed that curse on the Yoruba race, our lives had taken one tumultuous turn after another. The peace of our nation has been disrupted by jealousy, betrayal, hatred and witchhunt. Although we are trying to ignore that curse, the wise ones say that what is the least expected causes the most damage, hence we cannot snub the curse. Afonja, the then Oba of Ilorin and the Aare Onakankanfo (Generalisimo of Yoruba Army) rebelled against Alaafin Aole and demanded for his head.

Alaafin AoIe is said to have placed a curse on the Yoruba race. He shot arrows, broke a pot and predicted the downfall of the Yoruba race to the enemies who will be foreigners, in 1835.

The Yoruba are the most intellectually fecund people on earth; they are highly talented.

They have good diplomatic qualities and they know how to earn a living. But one factor that is militating against our progress is disunity and that is why people are referring to us as a bunch of weaklings.

To support my argument, the Eleko of Eko (Oba of Lagos) Oba Kosoko, stopped the mighty British Navy from getting a beach head in Lagos in 1851. This is the only defeat the British Navy suffered at the hands of a non-white power in the 1 9th Century.

The late sage and the best of all times, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, became a household name throughout the world because of his brilliant performances during his time as premier of the Western Region between 1954 to 1959.

Chief Awolowo being a performer and an achiever, the Yoruba were supposed to throw their weight behind him when he was struggling to become president in 1959,1979 and 1983. But instead ot supporting him, some notable Yoruba politicians turned against him and rigged election in favour of his opponents.

• Oluwole Peter

Kogi State.