CYE Not At Variance With Other Yoruba Groups – Onigbinde

•••Says Yoruba Unity Not Negotiable

•••Unveils Nucleus Working Executives

By Bode Akinbode, Ibadan

Following reactions that trailed the the inauguration of the Council of Yoruba Elders (CYE)in Ibadan barely two weeks ago by some Youruba elders, the President of the socio-cultual group , Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde has stated that the body was not formed to antagonize or be at variance with any other Yoruba groups in the country

He made this known on Saturday during the organization’s maiden press conference held at Oduduwa House, along Iwo-Road in Ibadan the Oyo state capital.

Recall that Chief Onigbinde, a renowned football technocrat , administrator and former coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria was appointed as President of the CYE during it’s inauguration at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan on August 31, 2023 .

According to Chief Onigbinde the objective of CYE is to bring together all the various Yoruba socio- cultural groups to speak with one voice in the interest and progress of the race and the nation at large.

” Let me say this clearly, the CYE is not at variance with any other body , we are not quarrelling with anybody, there can be one thousand and one Youruba groups , what we are set to achieve is to bring all these groups together

” We are not at war with anybody, we have our target and if anybody wants to come in , he or she is welcome, we are not antagonizing anybody, we are not enemy to anybody, ” he stressed

In his address, Chief Onigbinde said “The core mandate of CYE is to ensure that we are in best position to play our roles for the interest of our race and our country at large, and for us to achieve this, we must be united, all hands must be on deck, we must forget all our differences, for now we don’t have a one voice as a race, we must all come together, put our resources, knowledge and wisdom together, it is through this that we can have a one strong voice, it has to be collective efforts.

“This organisation is open to all Yoruba sons and daughters both at home and abroad for ideas and support of any kind, we formed this organization with the good intention of moving our country forward, the interest of our race is paramount on our agenda and for us to achieve this, our unity is non negotiable.” he said.

The Modakeje born High Chief urged other Youruba socio-cultural groups and their leaders to be focused and not be distracted from their mission and vision in building a strong Nigeria

” Whether you believe it or not, the Yorubas in terms of vision are the strongest but we are easily distracted and what causes this distraction are personalization of issues.

” Let us focus on where we are going, we in this organization believes that Yorubas are strong and can be stronger and that we can use our strength to build Nigeria “,he urged

As part of measures towards ensuring the smooth running of the organization, Chief Onigbinde announced the setting up of nucleus working executive members as well as other critical committees juat as he called on interested experts and professionals of Yoruba extraction within and outside who may be willing to join the herculean task of nation building f to indicate interests via its temporary national secretariat in Ibadan

Some of the pro tem exco of the Council include; Dr Victor Taiwo, Secretary General; Hakeem Danmola,National Treasurer; Erelu Tijani, National Financial Secretary; Mr Lanre Ogundipe, Publicity Secretary; Elder Taiye Ayorinde, Chairman Mediation and Reconciliation committee; and Prince Bowofade Aderemi, Legal Adviser

Others are ; Retired AIG Bola Alonge, Security Adviser; Chief (Mrs) Simisade Kuku, Chairman Women Affairs; Princess Dorcas Amusan-Fagborun, Chairman Diaspora; Mr Muhammed Babatunde Aliyu, Chairman Public Awareness; Prof. Olukayode Ogundoro, Administrative Secretary as well as states Chairmen, and committee chairmen.

Chief Onigbinde disclosed that Chief Mrs Erelu Dosumu Abiola, the Yeye Oodua of Yorubaland has been upgraded from her status as the Vice President of the group to grand- patroness.

Earlier In his welcome address, the Secretary General of CYE, who also doubles as the President General of Oodua Redemption Alliance, Dr Victor Taiwo said noted with dismay that hitherto , most notable Yoruba groups that are supposed to champion the cause and unity of the Yoruba race have been “polarized either by politics or personal interest.”

He said, “We cannot continue to pretend as if we don’t know what is going on, Hausa people have a formidable group that champion their interest, which is Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), they speak with one voice irrespective of their political differences, Igbo people also have their own which is called Ohaneze Ndigbo, but here in Yorubaland our Afenifere group have been polarized.

“We now have Afenifere Renewal Group, and so many other factions, even the Yoruba Council Of Elders (YCE) has also been factionalized, there is Pa Rueben Fasonrati group, and there is Pa Ayo Adebanjo group so we are no longer speaking with one voice and it is so sad, we cannot move forward with all these mess, we need a strong and formidable group that will be championing our interest at the national level too, this is what gave birth to this Council of Yoruba Elders (CYE) that was officially launched on Thursday 31st August, 2023 at the House of Chiefs here in Ibadan, the event was a successful one, as it was attended by illustrious sons and daughters of Yoruba race from different parts of the world, enough is enough, we must move forward.”

“We Yorubas are so brilliant, we are known for our brilliance, but it is so sad because when it comes to wisdom to speak with one voice we are lacking behind, politics has divided us, personal interest has divided us, we need to forget all these and come together for the betterment of our race and for the interest of our nation at large. Victor Taiwo said.

In attendance at the press conference are Prof. Kayode Ogundoro, Chief Olu Alege Olaseyi, Mogaji Ogunsola Anisere, Alhaja Bisola Quadri, Chief Dara Odunjo, Comrade Wale Alabi, Dr. Tope Taiwo, Mr Rahaman Adebayo, Mrs Bose Oni, among others.