Regional integration, key to economic prosperity of Yoruba – Olajide

Dr. Kunle Olajide, a chieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, says regional integration is the key to the economic prosperity of the Yoruba nation.
Olajide stated this at a colloquium organised by the Yoruba Patriotic Movement in Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that YPM is a political group consisting of foremost Nigerian nationalists of Yoruba extraction.
NAN also reports that the theme of the colloquium, chaired by Chief Bisi Akande, a former Governor of Osun State, was: “Resetting the Yoruba Nation’s Agenda for Rapid, Systematic and Sustainable Development.”
Olajide, who was a discussant, stated that the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria was the vehicle to deploy after the success of its regional constitution.
He said: “A regional constitution is a matter of time. DAWN must be an integral part of the constitution.
“It should be charged with identifying the available resources.
“Our governors and legislators must actively support the organisation which has produced literature on the resource deposit of the region and the potential for greatness.”
Olajide said that the six Odu’a governors deserve commendation for their renewed effort at regional collaboration irrespective of their political leanings.
Olajide said that the Yoruba nation was demanding a new order for the country, arguing that the existing order was unacceptable to most Nigerians.
Olajide said: “YPM believes that each of the six zones of the country is abound with diverse resources.
“But the zones are constrained by a dysfunctional federal structure and a perverse system of government which compels corruption.
“This colloquium is YPM’s first of many steps in the process of creating a new vibrant order for the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.
“The sleeping giant must be roused from slumber.”
Olajide said that the Yorubas had in the past implemented several development agendas, listing the 1955 and the 1978 agendas which enhanced the leading position of the South West in Nigeria.
He said: “These agendas succeeded in putting the west ahead of other regions in Nigeria.
“It was the season of first in Nigeria and Africa.
“Some of these are first television station, Liberty Stadium, Housing Estate, free education and health to mention a few.”
He claimed that the Yoruba nation had suffered inevitable collateral damage from the twin evils of military intervention and oil boom.
Olajide stressed that resetting the agenda of the Yoruba nation must not be the exclusive preserve of the elite, saying all stakeholders have roles to play.
He said: “The bane of the Nigerian government structure is the alienation of the grassroots which the YPM is determined to reverse.”
He stated that the objective of the agenda should include stability, security and development of the region and the welfare of its people.
Olajide stated: “I have some fears about the diminishing consciousness of the present generation about our identity as Yoruba, they appear to know very little about us.
“The history and the language of a people are the most distinguishing feature of any people.
“Teaching of history has been abolished in our schools and Yoruba language is no more taught; this is a double tragedy for our people.
“If nothing is done to reverse this trend, the Yoruba nation can become extinct in the world.”
Olajide commended the efforts of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, in promoting the unity of the traditional institution.