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 mistrustOvercome 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 resultsUnite 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 survivalDevelop 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 peaceUse 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 ceasingWork 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 victoryAlly 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.