The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, on Wednesday sets up an elders forum to advance the course of the organization and further drive it’s goals and objectives.
Rising from a meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the organization announced that the members of its newly formed elders forum spread across all the states of Yoruba land.
Also, the organization abrogated the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader of the organization, which has hitherto been held by Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
Members of the Afenifere Elders Caucus endorsed at the meeting are Chief Reuben Fasoranti (Chairman), Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Oba Olu Falae, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu and Basorun Seinde Arogbofa.
Others are Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele
Arch Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani Ipoola Akinrinade (Rtd), Maj Gen. Olu Bajowa, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Prof Banji Akintoye, and Otunba S A J Ibikunle.
Also in the elders caucus are Chief Femi Aluko, Prince Alonge, Dr Yomi Finnih, Prince Olusi, Hon Korede Duyile, Prof Ropo Sekoni,vHon Lekan Alabi and Dr Kunle Olajide.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the Publicity Secretary of the organization, Mr Jare Ajayi indicates that the organization condemned the security situation in the country and called for the rejig of the security architecture in the country.
The communique reads “members at the meeting condoled the people of Ondo State over the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
The meeting also congratulated the people on the inauguration of Otunba Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa as new Governor of the state, just as participants lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his roles in resolving the earlier impasse following the call by Ondo State Elders, under the auspices of Pa Fasoranti to do so.
“Participants expressed shock over the blast that occurred in Ibadan on Tuesday, January 14, 2024 and condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident.
They also commiserated with the people of Plateau State over the attack on their communities by terrorists.
“The meeting deliberated on issues affecting the organization, Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole.
Among the issues discussed were the state of the nation with particular reference to the socio-economic and security situations in the country.
Restructuring as a means towards a new lease of life and a better Nigeria was also discussed.
“The meeting resolved that there is an urgent need to rework the security architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.
Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such.
Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.
“The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration.
The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining for instance, Oyo State government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around.
Such would have made last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatized hundreds of people and destroyed properties running into Billions of Naira would have been prevented.
“To facilitate the issues above, Afenifere again reiterated that the time for restructuring the country is now. It therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose.
The organization took note of the fact that the President, a known democrat and federalist would not hesitate to do things that will quicken the country’s quest for true federalism in which people would have self-determination within the context of one nation that is genuinely democratic and federal.
“The meeting took note of the report that Miyetti Allah Hore set up a 1,144-strong Nomad Vigilante militia in Nassarawa ostensibly to provide security for Fulani herders.
Afenifere was of the opinion that Miyetti Allah, being a non-state actor, should not have power to do a thing like that. It therefore considered the action of the Department of State Security (DSS) to checkmate Miyetti Allah on the issue as timely and in order.
“The meeting expressed the hope that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would be giving the necessary push so that life can be easier for the people of Nigeria.
Among the means of achieving this are taking steps that would strengthen the value of our currency, the Naira, reduce costs of energy (fuel in particular) through local production of petroleum products as well as regular supply of electricity.
“In view of the current high cost of living, Afenifere urged the Federal Government, through its various organs in charge of finance and fiscal policies, to accelerate actions that will strengthen the value of our currency, enhance productivity, reduce costs of items and services all geared towards reducing inflation and enhancing the welfare of the people.
“The meeting renewed its call on governments in Yoruba speaking states to further encourage the teaching and usage of Yoruba language in schools.
This can be done by making the language the medium for teaching at elementary and lower level of secondary education as well as making it compulsory for students at school certificate examination level.
It also urged parents and guardians to teach their children the language as well as encourage its usage as much as possible both in verbal and literary communications,” the communique added.
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