The Oodua Progressive Union, Cote d’ Ivore Chapter has been launched by the Convener and National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, Otunba Gani Adams.
In his address at the launching ceremony on Saturday, Otunba Gani Adams, expressed delight that OPU, which was conceived not too long ago is gradually blossoming from a dream to reality.
“Today, OPU has been established and registered in more 54 countries across the world. We are happy that today’s launching marks another watershed in the history of this organization,” he told the gathering comprising traditional rulers, Captains of Industry and people from all walks of life in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivore capital.
According to him, “out of the programmes enumerated for this year is the launch we are gathered to do. The other reason why I have cause to be happy is the impressive turnout at this event”.
He said that the Oodua Progressive Union was established to work for the interest of all that have ancestral link to Oduduwa, “our common progenitor”.
The Convener noted that no ethnic group has enjoyed enormous cultural visibility and patronage as the Yoruba people, adding that in the press, large volumes of writings covering socio-cultural, economic and political strides and achievements of Yoruba people are published annually.
He spoke further, “Despite the distance from ancestral home, our people by the virtue of their industry remain active players in the continuous socio-economic and political development of the Ivory Coast. Our people’s presence in this country dates back to the borderless pre-colonial times. Majority of our people came to settle here for different reasons.
“Many of our people also migrated to avoid family burden at home. Irrespective of the sundry reasons that encouraged their relocation, one thing remain evident today is that our people are industrious, respectful and obedient.
“They are contributing their quota to the development of not only the communities that host them but the country as a whole,” he stressed.
The OPC leader told his audience that OPU was founded to work for the political and economic liberation of all sons and daughters of Oodua throughout the world.
According to him, “OPU has also been created to facilitate fora where issues relating to the progress and unity of the Yoruba people irrespective can be discussed and realized.
“We are establishing in countries with large presence of our people to build in them an Oodua House that would serve as the rallying point for all Yoruba people.
“The OPU is ready to offer assistance in any form to all Yoruba sons and daughters in their country of residence, calling on them to promote and defend our rich cultural heritage as a basis of identity for Yoruba race in the Diaspora.
“Through Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), we hope to break both physical and psychological boundaries that kept our people apart for years by reawakening and strengthening our common link to Oduduwa.
“We stand to benefit a lot if we are united under this common umbrella of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU). We therefore use this occasion to call on the governments and traditional institutions wherever our people are located to help the course of Yoruba unity and progress”.
The Oodua Progressive Union is a Pan – Yoruba organization formed in 2011 to create a platform for Yoruba sons and daughters in the Diaspora.
It is a non-governmental, non-partisan and non-religious founded on the need to foster unity among Yoruba irrespective of boundaries and climes they may found themselves.
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