Pa. Ayo Adebanjo
…..Empowers Elders Caucus To Articulate organisation’s views
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, has wielded the big stick with the removal of Pa Ayo Adebanjo as Acting Leader and constituting an Elders Caucus to articulate its views and position henceforth.
In a seven-point communique released at the end of its meeting in Akure, the Ondo state capital yesterday, the organisation decisively erased the ‘offices’ of the Acting Leader and Deputy Leader, a move which effectively neutralised the position of Pa Adebanjo who had been deputising for Pa Reuben Fasoranti for quite some time.
Afenifere subsequently constituted an Elders Caucus which will now speak for the organisation.
The communique reads:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AFENIFERE GENERAL MEETING THAT HELD AT THE AKURE RESIDENCE OF THE LEADER, PA REUBEN FASORANTI, OFR, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024.
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, held its first general meeting in the new year in the Akure home of the Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR.
After the opening prayer, The Leader, Pa Fasoranti, welcomed members and congratulated everyone for surviving the year 2023.
He prayed for a successful 2024 and beyond. In attendance at the meeting were representatives from various State Chapters of Afenifere.
A motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader was moved by Dr. S. J. Ibikunle from Ogun State.
It was seconded by Members from Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo and Ondo States. When the matter was thrown to the general house, the motion was unanimously carried.
Flowing from this, the Leader then declared as follows:”In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided as follows:
1. The positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader have now been abrogated.
Pa. Reuben Fasoranti
2. The responsibilities and authority of advising the Leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba are now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus which is hereby constituted.
Members of the Elders Caucus are as follow:
1. Chief R. F. Fasoranti – Chairman
2.Chief Ayo Adebanjo
3. HRM Oba Olu Falae CFR GCON
4. HE Senator C O Adebayo
5. Senator Femi Okunrounmu PhD CFR
6. Basorun Seinde Arogbofa OFR
7. Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele
8. Arch Bishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu
9. Lt. Gen Alani Ipoola Akinrinade rtd CFR
10. Maj Gen. Olu Bajowa rtd CFR
11. Prof Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi CFR
12. Prof Banji Akintoye
13. Otunba Dr S A J Ibikunle
14. Chief Femi Aluko
15. Prince Alonge
16. Dr Yomi Finnih
17. Prince Olusi.
18. Hon Korede Duyile.
19. Prof Ropo Sekoni
20. Hon Lekan Alabi
21. Dr Kunle Olajide
Afterwards, further deliberations commenced. At the instance of the Leader, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olu Falae, presided over the meeting. Participants 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 role 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 then deliberated on issues affecting Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole 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.
After comprehensive deliberations, the meeting then resolved as follow:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. To facilitate the issues in 1 and 2 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
At the end of the meeting, The Leader encouraged Afenifere members to be more committed to the noble ideals that the organisation stands for and display Omoluabi ethos as they project Afenifere further in their respective states.
He prayed for the success of government at all levels so that the people can enjoy a better lease of life.
Signed:
Comrade Jare Ajayi
National Publicity Secretary,
Afenifere World-wide