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| Adeniyi Kunnu |
I have fervently consumed the remarks as well as the generality of missives bordering on the Yoruba Summit.
While I have great respect for the Think Tank from the South West, and I heave a sigh of momentary relief over the decision to now speak definitely on the position of the region concerning Restructuring /Devolution of Power, it is utmost desiderata to examine the pragmatics and theorems of its perceptive failures or successes, particularly its introspections.
It amazes me, that 30 years after the demise of the Great Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the fact that he still remains both rallying and reference points show his outstanding unifying mien, but of course, and on the other hand, the stark failure of a region to produce another, not necessarily after Awolowo's kind, but a result-oriented adaptive persona, colossal enough not to be out weighed by Nigeria's Titanic debacles, but also light enough in kilogrammes to be able to empathize and sympathize with the varying emotional textures of the citizenry.
To be emphatic, there was not the mention of another singularly referenced Yoruba leader in Dr. Awolowo Dosunmu's address and this, evidently enough, is a dark cloud hanging above the 'minions of self-professed leaders of thought amongst the Yoruba race'
Without defining and defending emphasis, the majority of those present at the summit are without gainsaying at bitter odds with one another, belong to different political parties, have time and again exchanged tirades and the most painful, are buffeted by allegations of corruption and grouse self-aggrandizement.
Where was former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday?
Did you observe the Olubadan of Ibadan or the Alaafin of Oyo make an appearance?
Where was the Oba of Lagos?
Are you aware of the obvious absence of Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola!
If someone that has ruled this country in two dispensations cannot make an appearance, and the one who is considered the permutation specialist of the current political dispensation did not show up, then who are the Yoruba leaders of thought.
Although, Aare Afe Babalola was there, and by all standard, a highly respected Yoruba man, whose personal and national achievements speak volumes, then equate his presence with those of Ayodele Fayose, Gbenga Daniels, Olusegun Mimiko, Femi Fani Kayode, Yinka Odumakin, Chief Ayo Banjo amongst many others.
In fact, as truth is relative, half of those present are gerontocrats and I imagine how many in mid life had the privilege of addressing these Yoruba elders, from the point of view of strengthening these younger ones to steer the reins.
As I speak, don't even dare say Jagaban in the eyes or ears of many of those present there, while Obasanjo, as it seems, does not really feel comfortable amongst his kith and kin; while his social and political goodwill amongst his own has long obliterated.
So tell me, how do you speak with one voice and even birth a dream when and where there IS NO SINGLE LEADER that when he(she) speaks, the Yoruba race can take the words spoken to the bank.
It is then important to ask, that who in this generation or very near future will speak, and such person/s will be heard as a NOBLE YORUBA LEADER/S, such that his ideas are taken as feasible, and every blueprint further considered workable mappings for a successful, equitable, just and functionally devolved fiscal federalism.
The answer you muster regardless of your region or extraction would go a long way in seeing us consider our #COUNTRYFIRST and of course #YESWECAN.
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