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June 1999, NO WAY OUT OF TRUE FEDERALISM -- IGE, FALAE, AND FASEHUN ADVISE YORUBA CONVENTION IN ATLANTA The June 12, 1999 Yoruba Convention in Atlanta showed more buoyancy than the sadness-riddled convention around this time last year in Philadelphia. Last year’s convention came shortly after the death of Chief Moshood Abiola and was marked largely by the feeling of deep loss and the ground-looking faces of delegates during the special memorial service for the winner of Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election. This year’s convention featured bright and smiling faces under colorful caps and headties. This year, Egbe Omo Yoruba celebrated the return of democracy to their ancestral home by sending congratulatory messages to the legislators and governors recently elected to govern six Oodua states: Lagos. Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti. Despite the news of virtually empty treasury bequeathed to Yoruba states by military administrators, Yoruba men and women demonstrated noticeable optimism in their assertions that their governors are capable of bringing back development to Yorubaland, especially with the support of the people who freely gave them their mandate three months ago. The most colorful part of the convention was the majestic entrance into the convention hall of Yoruba leaders: Chief Bola Ige, Chief Olu Falae, General Alani Akinrinade, and Dr. Frederick Fasehun in the company of Professor Segun Gbadegesin and Mr. Banji Ayiloge, President and Secretary of the Egbe Omo Yoruba. As the procession of leaders entered the hall, well-attired men and women swayed their bodies to the rhythm of the drums and joined in the song of unity that was reinforced by the siting side-by-side of Chief Ige and Chief Falae on the podium. Before the election of new officers, Chief Ige, Chief Falae, and Dr. Fasehun delivered, amidst thunderous ovations, speeches on the inevitability of true federalism, if Nigeria is to join the group of free, developed, and united nations of the world. In his speech, Chief Ige urged Yoruba people in the Americas and Europe to continue to press their demands for the return of true federalism, and affirmed that his role in any government is to promote the ideals of true federalism. Chief Falae gave concrete suggestions on how the six Oodua states can immediately embark on joint projects in agriculture, industrialization, and education as a signal to other nationalities in Nigeria that the Yoruba are serious about re-federalization of Nigeria. In his own speech, the leader of Oodua Peoples Congress, Dr. Fasehun, assured the audience that Oodua Peoples Congress is a grassroots organization that is committed to the restoration of true federalism in Nigeria. At the end of the convention, Pa Alfred Rewane and Chief Moshood Abiola were given the 1999 Oodua Excellence Awards in the area of public and community service. General Akinrinade received Pa Rewane’s posthumous award on behalf of his family while Miss Khafeel Abiola received Chief M.K.O Abiola’s award on behalf of the Abiola family. Professor Bolanle Awe won this year’s Oodua Excellence award for scholarship and public service. Unavoidably away in Korea for a United Nations conference, Mrs. Awe was represented by Chief Bola Ige, who read Professor Awe’s acceptance letter on her behalf. Delegates to the Atlanta convention watched a video presentation of goodwill messages from the leader of the Yoruba, Senator Abraham Adesanya and the governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Tinubu. Chief Adesanya, who received Oodua Excellence award for public service last year, was unavoidably absent this year. In his own message, Governor Tinubu assured the Yoruba in Diaspora that he is as committed as ever to the restoration of true federalism and economic development to Yoruba land. Before the election of new officers, the executive committee led by Professor Segun Gbadegesin was given a standing ovation by all delegates for taking Egbe Omo Yoruba to new and challenging heights in the last two years. The delegates elected the following new officers: President: Dr. Olu Otubusin, a legal practitioner in Houston, Texas. Vice President: Mr. Ola Oduwole, an architect practicing in Jacksonville, Florida. Secretary: Mr. Dipo Akinsiku, a New York-based journalist/mass communicator. Treasurer: Mr. Haziz Ajayi, a public accountant based in Chicago, Legal Secretary: Mr. Olu Giwa, a legal practitioner from Houston, Texas. Publicity Secretary: Mr. Hakeem Fahm, a Computer Scientist in Washington. Financial Secretary: Dr. Olu Onabanjo, an educator/communications specialist in Atlanta. |
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