IKENNE, the hometown of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, will, today, host Yoruba sons and daughters from far and near for the inaugural Pan-Yoruba National Conference. The conference will be held inside the Efunyela Hall.A notice signed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, and the Yeye Oodua, Mama (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo, CON, specifically invited all royal fathers of Yoruba-speaking states, all religious leaders, all former presidents and vice-presidents from Yorubaland.Others are all former governors and deputy governors of Yoruba-speaking states, all present governors and deputy governors of Yoruba-speaking states, all former and present ministers, senators and members of the House of Representatives from Yorubaland.Also expected are all former speakers and commissioners of state governments in Yorubaland, all the state chairmen of the various national political parties in Yorubaland, all leaders of the various socio-political or socio-cultural groups in Yorubaland, all former and present vice chancellors of universities in Yoruba-speaking states and all Yoruba captains of industry and eminent Yoruba leaders.The meeting, which will commence at 11.00 a.m., will centre on how the race could be made more virile and how it will remain second to none among other races in the country.Towards this end, all necessary arrangements have been concluded to make the event historic, colourful and heroic in the annals of the Yoruba who are known for their uniqueness.Meanwhile, the conference has been described as a well-timed programme, signifying the beginning of the process of rebuilding the South-West and strengthening the unity among its people.A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is also a member of the reorganisation committee of the party in the South-West, Dr Yemi Farounbi, made the declaration in a telephone interview with Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday.Speaking on the conference, Farounbi, a veteran media professional, said: 'The pan-Yoruba conference, initiated by Mama HID Awolowo and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is well-timed. It is the beginning of a process that can rebuild the Yoruba into a solid arm or unit of Nigeria.'It may not be entirely perfect in the beginning but somebody has to initiate the beginning and I believe that this is a good-intentioned beginning, which we should all rally round and, where necessary, improve on it.'For the survival of Nigeria (and the Yoruba race), we need such a beginning to harness and harmonise the Yoruba viewpoint.'In another development, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Save the Masses and Child Heart Foundation, has cautioned Yoruba leaders against any action that could sabotage the pan-Yoruba conference.The group noted that all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of the conference as it is aimed at forging the way forward in the South-West and should be encouraged by all Yoruba.A statement by the coordinator of the group, Mr Akin Joye, noted that the credibility of the conference was not in doubt, since it was being convened by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo.Joye urged leaders and senior citizens in the region to shun any form of ego and join hands with the organisers to chart a new course for the Yoruba, in the interest of generations yet unborn.It will be recalled that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, had, in a statement published in some national dailies on Wednesday, expressed fears and reservations about the conference.The traditional ruler argued that the convener did not carry out enough consultations, hence it could affect the outcome of the parley, since a section of the Yoruba race, including his people, were not being carried along.However, Joye said 'the efforts of our distinguished mother and the imperial majesty should not be sabotaged. We should all support them so that there will be peace, unity, development and the required progress in the South-West.'He said similar exercises had been carried out in the past by the people of the South-South, South-East and the northern part of the country.
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