Yinka Kolawole
23 June 2008
Lagos — The World Festival of Yoruba Arts and Culture, aimed at promoting the unity, customs and tradition of the entire Yoruba race across the world was organised recently in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Although the recent World Festival of Arts and Culture which was solely hosted by a prominent Yoruba monarch, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, was devoid of political undertones, the festival focused mainly on how the race would resolve aged-long crisis between Yoruba leaders and monarchs in a bid to move the race forward.
The gathering of Yoruba leaders during the occasion, marked the first attempt to organise such an historic event in the Yoruba nation. However, a similar event expected to be held on a higher platform has been slated for November. The forthcoming event is expected to be attended by Yoruba people at home and in the Diaspora.
Explaining the significance of the event, Sijuwade stated without any fear of contradiction: "It was absolutely important for the Yoruba race to see themselves as one family to be emulated by those coming behind us and also those who have not been born; so that they will not suffer,"
The monarch suggested the necessity to set up a 10-man committee comprising eminent Yoruba leaders, who according to him, should look into the grievances among the people of the race and simultaneously devise how they could work together for its progress. He also suggested that such a committee could have between three to six months to carry out this momentous assignment.
The Ooni admonished Yoruba people both at home and in the Diaspora to collaborate with leaders of thought as well as Yoruba monarchs to find a lasting solution to the crisis within the race.
In his own message to the audience, Baba Adinni of Egbaland, Dr. Lateef Adegbite regretted that Yoruba people were fast losing their tradition and dignity because the principle of co-operation and collaboration on which the nation was founded has largely declined.
He emphasised that the ongoing Wema Bank crisis would not have endured, if only the Yoruba people had employed the spirit of "economic solidarity" of old in handling the situation.
"Can we begin to talk of socio-cultural leadership of the Yoruba when we are yet to create a neutral platform on which all shades of political opinions and tendencies in the world will co-habit and feel at ease?" he asked.
He assured that "if the committee of eminent Yoruba was put in place and eventually evolve and good programmes that can stimulate the unity, spirit and restoration of the sense of belonging of all and sundry as well as showcase our people's vibrant, vast and rich cultural heritage, then the initiative would have more than achieve its objectives," he added.
The Islamic leader emphasised that every state government in Yoruba land and all stakeholders should participate fully in the world festival of Yoruba arts and culture, saying the project must be seen as a major plank in the development endeavour of the South-west zone.
"Culture, being the totality of the essence of any community, the global festival would aptly bring to the fore, the diverse facets of Yoruba life, beliefs and customs, political philosophy, social ethos and values, language and literature, indigenous industry, business organisation, agricultural exploits, entertainment, leisure style and fashion," Adegbite explained.
He further said Yoruba's contribution to Nigerian development in all spheres cannot be over-stated adding that it is not the intention of WOFEYAC to be boastful or promote ethnic chauvinism.
According to him, the objective is to arouse the personal pride of every Yoruba man in the past attainments of their ancestors and simultaneously inspire the present generations to aspire, not only to match, but also to excel these past-enviable records. He noted emphatically that the World Festival of Yoruba Arts and Culture's goal is not divisive, but rather seeking Yoruba unity and solidarity within the larger Nigerian nation. "It is not a Yoruba gang-up against the rest. However, other ethnic groups in the country should stage similar cultural shows as a build-up to grander All-Nigerian Culture Festival," he advised.
Adegbite said unity within each Nigerian component was imperative, recalling that experience has shown that division and turmoil in any part of Nigeria might easily extend to the whole country, as was the case during the 1962-1965 Western Regional crisis which he said threatened the entire nation, leading to the collapse of civil rule, enthronement of military rule and later a bloody civil war.
"Owing to political differences, all the governors of the six Yoruba states can hardly meet together on a purely Yoruba platform. The principal Yoruba royal fathers who should lead by example, will not attend the same ceremony or event, except at Abuja on the Federal Government's invitation, simply because of the lingering supremacy tussle among them."
In his own contribution, Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola who was the Chief host, affirmed that unless stakeholders in Yoruba nation put their past differences behind them, unity would continue to elude them. He maintained that the event would help to create a road map for the coming together of all Yoruba people within and outside the country to solve their problem themselves.
He emphasized that with the proposed Centre for Black and Africa Arts and Civilization, Yoruba would successfully negotiate their own material needs with the Federal Government. The governor stressed that there must be a serious rebirth of the decadent Yoruba culture and tradition.
Also speaking at the occasion, the President of Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Major General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd.), admonished Yoruba obas and leaders to see themselves as brothers, noting that politics should not be mixed with tradition and customs. "Let us forget our past in the interest of our race, customs, culture, tradition and the yet unborn sons and daughters," he pleaded.
Organiser of the event and the publisher of Alaroye Group of Newspapers, Prince Alao Adedayo hinged disunity among Yoruba to bad leadership and failure to be their brothers' keepers.
He advised that "if Yoruba leaders, Yoruba Council of Elder (YCE) and Afenifere should come together to work for the collective interest of the country and Yoruba, the expected unity and love will not elude them"
Adedayo stated that the World Festival of Yoruba Arts and Culture (WOFEYAC) had the vision to really solidify and create unity among the Yoruba in Nigeria and beyond. "Why can't Yoruba use their customs, culture and tradition to better the lots of the Yoruba and the nation at large?" he queried.
The event was attended by prominent Yoruba leaders such as Chief Olu Falae, Chief Alani Bankole, Chief G. O.K Ajayi, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye and Alex Duduyemi.
Others are Chief Onaolapo Soleye, Senator Sulaiman Salawu and other prominent traditional rulers from Yoruba land.
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