The 2024 Yoruba National Day celebration will hold at the newly renovated Wole Soyinka Theatre, formerly Arts Theatre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
A statement by the President-General, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, Comrade Awa Bamiji, said this year’s event would be used to celebrate the 85th birthday of a core progressive, elderstateman and veteran actor, Chief Lere Paimo, a.k.a Eda Onile-Ola.
A lecture, titled: ‘National Unity and Agitation for Self- Determination: The way forward for Nigeria?’ would be delivered by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who doubles as Chairman, Southwest Governors’ Forum.
The Chairman of the event is an International Activist of June 12 extraction, Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK) (South), while another June 12 Activist, Senator Shehu Sani (North) would co – chair this Yoruba Youth Leadership Summit, 12 Edition since 2001 inauguration of Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths.
The Special Guests of Honour are President Bola Tinubu (GCFR), and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, while Guests of Honour are past and present South West governors and their Deputies.
The Special Guests are Southwest Senators, their House of Representatives’ Coallegues and Honourable Speakers of the Southwest Houses of Assembly. The fathers of the day are Afenifere leaders; Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd), Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Dr Kunle Olajide and Hon Wale Osun.
The Mother of the day are Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo – Dosumu, Dr Abimbola Akintola, Prof (Mrs) Bolanle Awe and Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori Ogbebor while Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife; Oba Sikiru Adetona, Ogbagba II, Awujale of Ijebu; Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Olubadan; Oba Ghandi Olaoye, Orumogege III, Soun of Ogbomoso; Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, Oba of Lagos; and Oba Francis Olushola Alao, Olugbon of Orile Igbon are royal fathers of the day.
The Spiritual fathers of the day include Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Prof Sabitu Olagoke (JP) and Dr M.O Mustapha, JP, (Babasebioba).
According to Awa, the beautifully carved Ori Olokun Odu’a Award would be bestowed on prominent individuals, including Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo – Dosumu, Dr Abimbola Akintola, Senator Shehu Sani, Prof Kayode Adebowale, mni, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan; Prof Isaac Adewole, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan and former Minister of Health; Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola (D-damak), Aare (President) Muslumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States; Alhaji Muideen Bello, a renowned Islamic Cleric; Engineer (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA); Apostle (Dr) S.M.O Mustapha, JP, (Babasebioba), Yoruba movie Actor, Kunle Afod; Princess Toyin Kolade, Iyalaje Odu’a and Hon (Dr) Ibraheem Olajide Salami, a.k.a Dikko, Chairman and Sole Administrator, Pacesetter Transport Services, Oyo State and Others
“As at April 23, 2024, we had concluded formal consultations in April before the news of approval of the Lagos State House of Assembly to celebrate Yoruba week in the state. It is time we, Yoruba Youths and the Lagos House of Assembly, work together towards the progress of Yorubaland and ensure success of not only a Yoruba Day in Ibadan, but a week celebration of Yorubas home and abroad as being planned by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“Ayo Olopon (traditional draft), Ijala (hunter’s song), Ekun Iyawo (bridal cry), Ariyanjiyan (quiz competition) and cultural display, are key ingredients of our week-long celebration. Traditional delicacies are always showcased and we are now making case for their inclusion in Lagos State as well as making sure that the Giant in Yoruba Movie Industry, Chief Lere Paimo a.k.a Eda Onileola @ 85 is collectively celebrated as discussed.
“It’s a big relief that at least Lagos State out of the Six Yoruba Speaking Southwest States has now formally recognised the year 2000 adoption of Yoruba National day by Yoruba Congress held at Cultural Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, under the Leadership of Senator Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya as proposed by Chief Pop – Olorogun Adebanjo of Comrade Baba Omojola led Apapo Omo Odu’a.
The Failure of the past Southwest Governors to officially recognize the day after its adoption prompted Ambassador Olu Otunla and Comrade Baba Omojola to approach me as Yoruba Youth Leader in 2011 to champion the annual Celebration, keep the flag flying in the name of Yoruba Congress and this what my Group, Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, has been doing since then till date by using our Yoruba Yoruba Leadership Summit inaugurated in 2001 to celebrate Yoruba National Day annually.
We, therefore, congratulate Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; House Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Afenifere, Ambassador Olu Otunla, Apapo Omo Odu’a, Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Yoruba sons and daughters home and abroad, for not allowing the labour of our heroes past to be in vain as far as Yoruba National Day celebration is concerned,” the statement added.
