A CONFERENCE of Yoruba scholars has urged the Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemi popularlly called “Sunday Igboho” and others pushing for secession to take it easy and view things from broader perspectives.
The meeting which took place at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday, portrays the sixth Atanda lectures and conference on Yoruba culture and society.
The Convener of the event Prof.Toyin Falola stated that what Nigeria needs is decentralization of power to allow the six geopolitical zones in the country to have the autonomy to function.
He said this would solve most of the problems, including the insecurity facing the country. In his words, “The Yoruba are angry, the Igbo are angry, so, how to minimise and reduce the anger is what we should find a solution to.
“At this time, the best advice one can give is decentralization and autonomy in various regions.
“I don’t think separation is the best way to go, but seeking better autonomy in these regions is a better option.”
Also speaking, a professor of History, Olutayo Adeshina, advised the agitators for the Yoruba nation to think things through.
He said “Those who are pushing for it, I will say let us take it easy and see it from broader perspectives because here, the structure of Nigeria is skewed; it is imbalanced and it is also not right. Yes, we have the right to agitate; I will say let us take it easy.
“If we agitate and try to secede, move away, what is the benefit of it? What is the cost of taking Yoruba out of Nigeria? Is it going to be done peacefully?
“You have to do this thing very clinically; you must get your parameters right; is it going to be peaceful? If it is going to be peaceful, Okay, if it is not going to be peaceful, what is the cost to us as a people and as a society? What is the cost on our infrastructure? A lot of things must be done carefully and well-calibrated.”
The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Osun State, Oba Abolarin Adedokun, also called for patience and tolerance among the tribes and ethnic groups in the country.
The three-day conference on Yoruba culture and society had many national and international scholars on Yoruba and culture as speakers, including a foremost private art collector in Africa, Prince Yemisi Shyllon; Director of African Studies Institute, University of Georgia, USA, Akinloye Ojo, and Professor Arinpe Adejumo of the University of Ibadan.
In attendance were Yoruba scholars and traditional rulers, led by Professor of History, University of Texas, Austin, Toyin Falola.
