Isokan Yoruba Magazine, Fall
1996/Winter 1997 , Volume III No. I, Page 13.
Can the Yoruba Nation Survive: Seven
Imperatives Against Nationcide,
By Segun Gbadegesin, Ph.D.
(Remarks prepared for the Program of the Ist
Yoruba Picnic, Washington D.C. on August 10, 1996).
It is an undestatement to say that this is an
historic occasion. For it is not only historic in the context of
the space in which we find ourselves now as sojourners; it is
also historic in the context of our homeland. For when has it
ever happened that all Yoruba sons and daughters, representing
the length and breadth of Yoruba land from Lokoja to Lagos, from
Oyo to Owo, from Ilaro to Ile-Ife come together in this kind of
joyous atmosphere in celebration of the best in us as a people!
We must therefore be proud of ourselves and of the spirit of
community that has triumphed to make this a reality. As we do,
however, we need to take a moment to ponder over our present
realities and future possibilities as a people.
The idea of a unity rally in the form of a
Yoruba picnic represents the beginning of the realization of a
larger vision that we have for the survival and advancement of
the Yoruba race. A personal statement is in order here. I have
never been a politician. Like every rational being, however, I
have more than a passing interest in what politicians do, because
what they do have repercussions for me, my family and my people.
My choice, however, has been to serve as a gadfly, to prick the
conscience of those in positions of authority to think through
their actions and their consequences. I joined Egbe Isokan
Yoruba because it has the objective of serving as a gadfly on
the national conscience in the interest of our people. And with
this objective, it filled a long existing vacuum. What it has
achieved in the three years of existence speaks for its
relevance. I have no regrets and no apologies.
But we know that we have other Yoruba organizations with similar or at least no contradictory objectives. Though I have not myself looked at the documents setting up those organizations, my guess is that they all have one thing or another to do with the progress of our people. It was this thought that led us to think of coming together to advance our common purposes. We brought up the idea of Isokan Presidential Advisory Board which should serve as a forum for all of us to discuss issues relating to the advancement of Yoruba interests. My personal appreciation goes to all presidents of Yoruba organizations who answered our call to establish this Board on an informal level, in spite of some misgivings about motives and intentions. The idea of this picnic grew out of the Board. We must now move on from this to more important issues on our agenda. We just have to do away with petty squabblings, baseless mistrust borne out of personal animosities, because all these kill initiatives, and the Yoruba people will not forgive us if we do not seize on the opportunities that this moment offers us to make changes for the better. For we are a people with a long and glorious past, waiting to be redeemed and further advanced for posterity. Our own generation must lead in this endeavor, otherwise what are we going to be remembered for? We have been given so much in life, it is not too much to ask us to give something back in return.
Or shall we be contented with being "a
wasted generation?" People, even our parents and grand
parents can decide to write us off- if we do not live up to their
expectation. But can we afford to write ourselves off? Remember
that in the enduring wisdom of our people, a meaningful
life is not one that procures wealth for self and family; rather,
it is one that contributes to the advancement of the community.
This is what personhood means. For our lives to be meaningful,
therefore, we must do our part to further the advancement and
welfare of our people. Can we do this alone, on individual basis?
No, because the task requires cooperation with others. Ajeje
owo kan ko gberu d'ori. And our survival as a
people is at stake unless we do something urgently. We, here,
have a unique role to play in this endeavor. I see seven
imperatives of action for us.
Overcome all internal mistrust
There is too much mistrust among us as a
people; and where there is no trust, there is no basis for
cooperative efforts. But we cannot achieve any common objectives
without cooperation. We must therefore learn to trust ourselves.
The pity of this is that the well-intentioned efforts of some get
frustrated when they are faced with mistrust even before they are
given a chance to prove themselves. We seem to be the only people
who cannot extend the same trust that we expect of others to
them! Something is terribly wrong and needs to be fixed for us to
survive as a people. And needless to say, if we do not survive as
a people, we cannot survive as individuals.
Dedicate all energy and intellect to communal advancement
We are a smart people, and our generation has
the greatest share of this attribute. The question is "how
do we use our smartness?" Individually, we make efforts to
"make it." There is no sin here. But our making it
should not harm the source of our being. Indeed, it ought to
benefit it. It follows therefore that whatever we do, we ought to
bear in mind that it should not have a negative impact on our
motherland. Our children ought to learn from the cradle until
adulthood that they belong to a great tradition and they ought to
contribute to its advancement. Language is an essential part of
the existence of a people. If a language is dead because it is no
longer spoken by a significant number of people, those people
cannot claim any identity. Yoruba language must not be allowed to
die. If we agree, then we should ask ourselves what we are doing
as individuals in our homes with our language. Perhaps our
children can benefit from the Institute of Yoruba Language and
Culture established by Egbe Isokan Yoruba.
Unite to achieve results
There is no doubt that each of us is doing
something as individuals or separate groups. I know, for
instance, that as individuals we send home regularly for the
upkeep of our old ones and immediate family members. I also know
that every group association has some project or the other. I
congratulate everyone who is doing this. I pray that your
children will reciprocate in your old age. But I ask you
"how much impact have you had as individuals and groups on
the enormous problems at home? Then imagine a different approach:
We all come together as a people. We design a program of , say,
agricultural development. We constitute ourselves here as an
advocacy group. We present our plan as a Non- Governmental
Organization to an agricultural agency, including even the World
Bank. We divide our homeland into different zones for different
inputs. The strength of our numbers will achieve a far greater
result than any individual or group effort. Jobs will be created.
Food supply will increase. Cost of food will go down, etc. And
this is just one of numerous initiatives that we can take
together even for our own good here. Why are we not doing that
now? Because of mistrust? Even before such ideas are put on the
table, someone already has problems trying to understand the
motives and intentions of the initiator! Brothers and sisters, we
need to wake up to the realities and needs of our times.
Communities here are involved in serious networking for the good
of their people. And this is a place where individuals have the
least constraint to make it on their own! We must cooperate if we
are going to make it.
Develop a common vision for survival
I do not need to say much on this imperative.
For there is hardly any observant person that does not now see
the threat to our survival as a people. We have never invaded any
neighboring territory. But if we do not see the threat and
reality of invasion looming over our heads, we need to clean our
eyes. What is "good" about this is that we will all go
down together when the time comes. No one will be spared because
the sole objective of the exterminator is to reverse the will of
progress that has been bequeathed to us by our forebears. In the
scenario that is unfolding, even the collaborators of the
exterminator will not be spared. From which it follows that those
who are now in the "lucrative" business of
collaboration are only unwittingly creating the means for their
own destruction. To avoid a common tragedy, we have to develop a
common vision. Where there is no vision, the people perish.
Use existing organizations to promote justice and peace
We need peace in our land, and we must seek
peace. But it is even more imperative that we first seek to
promote justice because peace without justice is impossible. And
if by chance, it is achieved, it will be fragile and transient.
Therefore, the panacea to our problems is justice. We cannot
therefore sit on the fence. For even if we are comfortable in our
space here, our people need an atmosphere of peace to be able to
unfold their energies. And where they do not have peace on the
streets there, we cannot have peace of mind here. Even as a
matter of self interest, we need to stand up to be counted, for
what it takes for evil to triumph is the calculated silence of
good people.
Work hard and pray without ceasing
We are known as a hard-working people. Our
grand parents did not teach us about any short-cut to wealth.
Their faith in the effectiveness of hard work must be good for us
too in spite of temptations that may be put in our path. "Ise
l'oogun ise" (Work is the cure for
poverty) is the rhyme we learn from the cradle. Discredited
politicians and their emergency contractor patrons and matrons
have unfortunately made a mockery of this age-old axiom. But we
should not be discouraged. Afterall, as our people also say, ile
ti a fi ito mo, iri nii woo. Many of them, if they have
conscience, must now be regretting, conscious of their
contribution to the pitiful situation of our people. On our part,
we have an obligation to use our talents and intellect positively
to show the world that we are a decent people. We should resist
any temptation to cut corners or to enter into shady deals, as
whatever we do reflects ultimately on our source of being. We
should all pledge to avoid embarrassing our people through our
actions or inactions. Our young ones need the good guidance of
those of us who are blessed with more years of experience. Of
course, the need for cooperative endeavors cannot be
overemphasized to provide timely assistance for those who might
be in need. Awo nii gbe Awo ni igbonwo.
Ally with other progressives to achieve victory
Even as serious as our situation might be, we
are not alone. This points to the reasonableness of going into
partnership with other people who share our concerns and
objectives. Just as individuals cannot go it alone, so groups may
not. It is a small world in which we stand to gain from the
experiences of others who have gone through similar pains and
sorrows. We have them in the geographical space we share with
them at home and abroad. We should not deny ourselves the value
of their experiences. Together, we can achieve victory in the
struggle for survival and advancement of our people.
To reiterate, the seven imperatives may now be
brought together:
Overcome all internal mistrust
Dedicate all energy and intellect to
communal advancement
Unite to achieve results
Develop a common vision for survival
Use existing organizations to promote
justice and peace
Work hard and pray without ceasing
Ally with other progressives to achieve
victory
ODUDUWA our progenitor, whose name
spells these seven imperatives, will stand with us and assist us
in our struggle for survival.
IRE OWO, IRE OMO, IRE AIKU, BAALE ORO
ASE.
For More Information Contact:
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P.O. Box 90832, Washington, DC 20090
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FAX: (301) 499-5386
Internet: isokan@yoruba.org