The Asia chapter of the Oodua Progressives Union (OPU) has charged the South-West governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to focus more on the unity of the Yoruba race and shun politics of bitterness.
The group gave the charge on Sunday during the maiden edition of the Asia Summit held online with over 900 participants present from all over the world.
The summit, which was held for more than three hours, had Prof. Oladele Orimoogunje, a Professor of African Studies, Dept. of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, as the guest lecturer, with many other social, economic and political analysts also in attendance.
OPU, while giving the charge observed that the buck stops on the table of leaders in the region, particularly the governors, saying they should lay more emphasis on the unity of the entire race rather than playing politics and engaging in power tussle.
The group lamented that the present crop of people, especially, the politicians had lost the intrinsic value of integrity, urging that the Yoruba must advance the cause of instilling the culture of unity and integrity in whatever they do.
This was just as OPU, which is spread across 96 countries of the world, promised to continue to play its roles in ensuring that the Yoruba race remained the best in the world.
Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, who is also the global convener of OPU, said history had shown that the Yoruba have the best in terms of approach to issues and strategy for achieving the best, but quickly noted that the buck stops on the desk of leaders.
The Yoruba generalissimo expressed optimism that Yoruba would definitely be the leading race in the world if the South-West governors could shun politics of bitterness, unite and drive the vision of the region.
“History has shown that the Yoruba have the best in terms of approach to issues and strategy for achieving the best. We are very articulate in decision making, and our greatest strength is in being united.
“As good as we are as a race, our greatest undoing is lack of unity in Yorubaland. And we have also lost the integrity test as it was in the past. But the buck stops at the desk of our leaders. If the South-West governors could shun politics of bitterness, unite and drive the vision of the region, I am very sure Yoruba race will definitely be the leading race in the world,” he said.
Iba Adams, however, said the OPU would continue to seek the unity of the race, adding that the Asia summit would come up with positive ideas that would bring about prosperity and solutions to most of the problems facing the South-West.
Adams, while noting that the summit remained the most viable forum for proper discourse, analysis, said OPU had a record of using the outcome of the summit to set a new policy and direction for the region.
“The summit is in line with the original plan of our organization. The Asia summit of today is also a reflection of our desire to ensure the best for all Yoruba sons and daughters across the globe.
“Today’s summit will definitely open a window of opportunities for us
to discuss pertinent issues bordering on the liberation of our race. It will further help us to chart a new course for our organization,” Iba Adams said.
Speaking, the guest lecturer, Prof. Orimoogunje, in his lecture titled: “The Yorùbá political Endeavours: Quest for Unity and Integrity,” said Yoruba must advance the cause of instilling the culture of unity and integrity in whatever they do.
The guest lecturer lamented that the present crop of people, especially, the politicians had lost the intrinsic value of integrity, but quickly said that there would be unity, peace and tranquillity in Yorubaland “with great value of integrity.”
“With great value of integrity, we can have unity, peace and tranquillity in Yorubaland. We have lost the value of respect for our elders because we have lost touch with our culture and tradition in Yorubaland.
“Our politicians today have never subscribed to the value of integrity. In the past, people are elected into political offices because of their integrity. But today, politics is not about integrity, but it is about bargaining.
“The Yoruba have lost the value of integrity, but we need to change the bad narrative. So that we can regain the glory of the past,” he argued.
Earlier in his opening remarks, OPU Asia Coordinator, Otunba Ogunbiyi Olamilekan Hamza, applauded the effort of the OPU global convener, Iba Adams for lifting the spirit of the Yoruba sons and daughters abroad.
He said the maiden edition of the OPU Asia Summit would broker peace, and unity and also enhance the knowledge of all members and participants.
“OPU is very lucky and fortunate to have our leader, and convener, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams as the global convener and rallying point of the OPU agenda.
“Aare’s vision is what kept our hope alive. Today, OPU is in 96 countries, we will continue to play our roles in ensuring that the Yoruba race remains the best in the world,” Hamzat said.
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