The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and the Chief of Staff to Ekiti state governor, Mr Biodun Omoleye, have said the southwest region won’t play a second fiddle again in the politics of the nation.
They said in view of the enormous roles the region had played for the development of the nation, that it has no reason to allow itself to be relegated in the scheme of things.
The eminent Nigerians added that the Yoruba stands the chance of regaining its leading role in the country if it embraces unity and value reorientation .
Oba Ogunwusi spoke at his palace in Ile Ife, Osun State on Saturday when Omoleye delivered a lecture entitled: ‘Enculturation of the Yoruba Culture Among Youth: Implications on Social Reengineering and Good Governance’ at a cultural programme organised by Yoruba Youth Council(YYC).
Oba Ogunwusi added that “Yoruba has always been known for being a pacesetter since pre-independence days, so we cannot take back seat and to achieve this, we must be united and our youths must promoted our cultural , economic and political values,” he advised.
In his paper, Fayemi’s Chief of Staff said the traditional rulers must be empowered to legally handle issues bothering on communal clashes , child abuse and local disputes that are causing distractions to government to decongest the conventional courts and reduce prison inmates.
He reiterated the desperate need for the Yoruba youths to rise up and defend the southwest region in the politics of the nation, saying the zone won’t submit to the idea of playing second fiddle again for it to remain relevant and be vibrant .
The programme held at the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also featured award presentation and honour for the prominent Yoruba traditional ruler.
Omoleye in his paper, said the emasculation of the traditional institutions by governments contributed to the high level of instability of the Nigerian nation.
“The traditional rulers should be empowered to handle cases relating to cultural differences, ranging from child abuse, matrimonial, communal differences and disputes .
” This will decongest the conventional courts and reduce prison inmates. This will also stabilise the society rather than the punitive English legal system that we are currently practising”.
On the politics of the nation, Omoleye added that the Yoruba youths must begin to pose as true ambassadors and join the vanguard that would fight for the race to be able to regain its rightful pride of place as people with integrity and rich cultural and political values .
“Never again will Yorubas play second fiddle where they are expected to take the lead. We challenge the Omo Akins (valiants) to rise and defend the course of the race wherever they go”.
Omoleye added that Yoruba race can’t afford to be relegated, having taken the lead since the 50s under the leadership of the former premier of the western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“The first democratically elected government under the late Obafemi Awolowo ran the best civil service in Africa and established institutions that were the best in the continent.
“The first television station in Ibadan was a product of Yoruba vision, the Liberty stadium and of course the University College Hospital, Ibadan was at a time the best medical centre in the entire Commonwealth.
“With the personality like Oba Ogunwusi on the throne, hope has not been totally lost. This is a great time for reformation and restoration of Yoruba values and culture and our imperial Majesty is well positioned to champion this course,” he said.