A Yoruba diaspora group, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), has called on Yoruba people all over the world not to relent in their agitation for self-determination, saying it is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on People’s Rights.
The group made the call in an eight-point communiqué it issued at the end of a webinar conference themed: ‘The State of Yoruba Nation’, to mark its one year anniversary.
It also called for an immediate referendum to be supervised by the United Nations (UN) on the right to self-determination by Yoruba Nation.
“We urge the Yoruba people all over the world not to relent in the irrevocable campaign for self-determination.
“Immediate referendum (should be called) to be supervised by the United Nations, on the right to self-determination by the Yoruba Nation,” YOV said.
The conference was attended by participants from across six continents of the world, comprising Yoruba professionals, men, women and students numbering over 3000 people.
The group lamented the high level of insecurity in the South West, which had manifested in the invasion by the armed Fulani herdsmen, leading to incessant killings, raping, kidnapping of innocent people, among others.
Earlier, in his opening speech, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, urged other like-minded groups both within and outside the Nigeria to join Yoruba One Voice in its quest for the liberation of Yoruba race.
Adams said his position as the Grand Patron of the largest Yoruba organization in the diaspora is strategic to availing other well-meaning Yoruba sons and daughters the opportunity to play their roles in complementing the efforts of all the members.
While urging the international community to support the call for Yoruba self-determination agenda, the Yoruba generalissimo noted also that with the achievements made so far by the organization, it is obvious that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
“With the success recorded today, YOV has made history as the largest Yoruba diaspora organization seeking the Yoruba nation self-determination agenda. And with this, I have the conviction that we will definitely achieve this lofty dream.
Going down the memory lane, one of the guest lecturers Professor Ayodeji Agbonjinmi from the Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, in his remarks said the Yoruba had in history become victims of political instability in Nigeria.
He said Yoruba had always been at the receiving end, maintaining that YOV had made remarkable move to determine the fate of the Yoruba race in the political milieu.
Professor Salawu Akeem Segun, from the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who was the second guest lecturer at the event, said that there is nothing bad in seeking self-determination, saying the idea is a process that must mature in time.
He added that the Yoruba will always seek self-determination or devolution of power to region.
While reading the communiqué, YOV secretary-general, Dr. Sina Okanlomo, said the organization would not relent in its efforts to change the ugly narratives in Nigeria, insisting that the Yoruba have all it takes to decide on the best way to go.