{"id":30320,"date":"2020-09-24T19:31:54","date_gmt":"2020-09-24T19:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.com\/nigeria\/?p=30320"},"modified":"2020-09-24T19:31:54","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T19:31:54","slug":"we-want-our-own-country-yoruba-leader-akintoye-tells-buhari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/all-news\/we-want-our-own-country-yoruba-leader-akintoye-tells-buhari","title":{"rendered":"We want our own country \u2013 Yoruba leader, Akintoye tells Buhari"},"content":{"rendered":"
Africa Press-Nigeria:<\/p>\n
The leader of Yoruba ethnic group, Professor Banji Akintoye has said that Yoruba ethnic group is in dire need of its own country out of the present Nigeria.<\/p>\n
Akintoye said that over 55 million people of Yoruba extraction, will get their freedom without breaking the law of the country or shedding blood.<\/p>\n
The renowned historian made these declarations during the celebration of Kiriji war held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
DAILY POST gathered that Kiriji war happened in Yoruba land many decades ago.<\/p>\n
Present at the celebration included Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Wale Alabi, Comrade Olu Omotosho, Opeoluwa Elisha Ademoyegun and Iyanda Wasiu.<\/p>\n
Akintoye while insisting that nothing would stop the liberation of Yoruba from its enemies, awakened the youths, who he said, were very important in the fight for struggle.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cWe have been saying we will have a Yoruba nation of our own. Yoruba World Congress is committed to helping Yoruba nation to secure its position in the comity of nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do say I don\u2019t compromise. It is not every time. But once we say, we will take a common stance, I don\u2019t know how to betray. We will get Yoruba nation free without violence, we will not break the laws of Nigeria. If there is anyone who wants to be violent, we will tell them, no.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are violent and there are dead bodies on the streets, you are circumventing our purpose. We are telling the world that we want our own country. We have the rights to demand for our rights. When we launched Amotekun, was there any arrest, violence? If you want to stage a rally, do so. It\u2019s your rights but no violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have passion for the youths. If you don\u2019t have people who can take after you, no matter the amount of wealth you have it\u2019s nothing. These youths are important. We elders can only guide and lead you. We can write letters but it is you who will do it. It must succeed. Anybody saying contrary, I\u2019m not part of that idea.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past of 30 and 40 years ago, the youths have not been the same again. I graduated from the University College Ibadan in the morning and by evening my wife and I were employed. I can\u2019t do the things I\u2019m doing now if I don\u2019t have the youths around me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hurting our future in a very vicious way. Yoruba are 55 million, 74 percent are 40 years and. Step forward and. They have the authority of the land to say you can\u2019t do it. Go back home. No violence. Go to market places, mechanic workshop, farmers on their way to the farms. If you can do this, getting our resolve done will not be difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe don\u2019t force our will on people. Explain to those organizations who don\u2019t understand what you want. Yoruba will not suffer. We are the most populous in Africa. We want to take our own country and begin to build it. Nothing more,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
In his own contribution, the leader of Movement for Oduduwa Republic, Architect Akin George explained how they had mobilised other people in Yorubaland.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went to Okemesi where the Kiriji war started. We saw the king. From there, we went to Imesi Ile and Igbajo. At Igbajo, we noticed disunity between Imesi Ile and Oke Imesi, between Igbajo and Ibadan people there.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe reconciled them. We can\u2019t fight the enemies if home front is divided. We may have misunderstanding but should not lead to quarrel,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n