A statement by the President-General, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, Comrade Awa Bamiji, said this year’s event would be used to celebrate the 85th birthday of a core progressive, elderstateman and veteran actor, Chief Lere Paimo, a.k.a Eda Onile-Ola.According to Awa, the 2024 Yoruba National Day celebration will hold at the newly renovated Wole Soyinka Theatre, formerly known as Arts Theatre, University of Ibadan, by 11am.
A lecture, entitled, ‘National Unity and Agitation for Self- Determination: The way forward for Nigeria?’ would be delivered by Sanwo-Olu, while Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, would be the discussant.
The chairman of the event is a renowed June 12 activist and Leader, Yoruba Unity Forum, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu (South), while another June 12 activist, Senator Shehu Sani (North) would co-chair the 12th edition of the Yoruba Youth Leadership Summit.The Special Guests of Honour are President Bola Tinubu (GCFR), and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, while Guests of Honour are past and present South West governors and their deputies.Special Guests are South West Senators, House of Representatives members from the zone and Speakers of the Houses of Assembly in the region.
The fathers of the day include include past and present leaders of Afenifere, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, Chief Bayo Abraham-Adesanya, Arc Muyiwa Ige, Mr Adewale Thompson, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Hon ‘Folabi Ayo-Fasanmi, Chief Adebisi Akande, Mr Abimbola Biyi-Durojaiye, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd), Dr Kunle Olajide and Honourable Wale Osun. Mothers of the day are present present leaders of Afenifere (women), Amb Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Dr Abimbola Ladoke-Akintola, Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, Prof (Mrs) Bolanle Awe, Hon (Mrs) Emmanuel Alayande, Mrs Kehinde Ola-Oni, Queen Taiwo Adesida and Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori Ogbebor.Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife; Oba Sikiru Adetona, Ogbagba II, Awujale of Ijebu land; Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Olubadan of Ibadan land; Oba Ghandi Olaoye, Orumogege III, Soun of Ogbomoso; Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, Oba of Lagos; Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu I, Oluwo of Iwo; and Oba Francis Olushola Alao, Olugbon of Orile Igbon are royal fathers of the day.The Spiritual fathers of the day include Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Prof Sabitu Olagoke (JP) and Dr M.O Mustapha, JP, (Babasebioba)Yoruba Language, Arts and Culture Ambassador, Oloye Lekan Alabi, is the moderator for the event.According to Awa, the beautifully carved Ori Olokun Odu’a Award would be bestowed on 22 prominent individuals.
The awardees include Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo- Dosumu, Dr Abimbola Ladoke-Akintola, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelaide; immediate past Chief Judge of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (GCON); Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun; Sen Shehu Sani, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Kayode Adebowale; former Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; Senate spokesperson, Sen Yemi Adaramodu; Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola (D-Damak), Aare Muslumi of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States; Alhaji Muideen Bello, a renowned Islamic Cleric; Apostle (Dr) S.M.O Mustapha, JP, (Babasebioba); Nollywood actors, Kunle Afod and Ibrahim Chatta; Princess Toyin Kolade, Iyalaje Odu’a; Sen Dayo Adeyeye, Chairman, Board of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Prof Soji Adejumo, former Chairman, SUBEB, Oyo State; Mr Thomas Ogungbaigbe, Barr Hammed Raji (SAN), Dr Ibraheem Olajide Salami, a.k.a Dikko, Chairman and Sole Administrator, Pacesetter Transport Services, Oyo State; and Engr. (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
“As of April 23, 2024, we had concluded formal consultations before the approval of Lagos State House of Assembly to celebrate Yoruba week in the state. It is time, we Yoruba youths and the Lagos State House of Assembly work together towards the progress of Yoruba land and ensure the success of not only a Yoruba Day in Ibadan, but a week celebration of Yorubas home and abroad as being planned by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“Ayo Olopon (traditional draft), Ijala (hunter’s song), Ekun Iyawo (bridal cry), Ariyanjiyan (quiz competition) and cultural display are key ingredients of our week-long celebration. Traditional delicacies are always showcased and we are now making case for their inclusion in Lagos State, as well as making sure that the giant in Yoruba movie industry, Chief Lere Paimo, a.k.a Eda Onileola @85 is collectively celebrated as discussed.“It is a big relief that at least Lagos State, out of the six Yoruba speaking South West states, has formally recognise the adoption of Yoruba National Day.“
The failure of the past South West governors to officially recognise the day after its adoption prompted Ambassador Olu Otunla and Baba Omojola to approach me as Yoruba Youth Leader in 2011 to champion the annual celebration, keep the flag flying in the name of Yoruba Congress and this what my Group, Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba (Grand Council of Yoruba Youths) has been doing since then till date by using our Yoruba Leadership Summit, which commenced in 2001, to celebrate Yoruba National Day annually.“We, therefore, congratulate Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Afenifere Ambassador, Olu Otunla; Apapo Omo Odu’a, Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Yoruba sons and daughters home and abroad, for not allowing the labour of our heroes past to be in vain over the Yoruba National Day celebration,” Awa added.
