By RAZAQ BAMIDELE
The stage is set for Yoruba ethnic nationalities across the country and in the Diaspora to hold a summit on how practically they can realize the much-touted regional autonomy through the agenda of regional integration. Daily Sun learnt authoritatively at the weekend that the summit, tentatively slated for Ibadan, Oyo State, was aimed at putting in motion, machinery to implement to the letter, the resolutions and recommendations of a working document, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
During the public presentation of the document in Lagos in March, this year by the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), the group’s National Chairman, Adewale Oshun advised that the vision should be sold to all and sundary in the zone without minding their political affiliations, adding that “there is the need for building of elitist consensus to share the same value devoid of individuality tendenciesto ascertain that truly, “we are on the march again.”
According to Oshun, rapid growth and development of the region was the central issue of the group’s agenda, asserting that, “regional integration for growth and development of our people are non-negotiable.” While saying that it was time to work through all barriers to achieve the development goal, Oshun was of the conviction that “true federalism that will encourage healthy competition is imperative to guarantee job creation and eradicate poverty,” regretting that Yoruba that accounted for 45 million out of 160 million Nigerians, who were also known for their development through education, are now retrogressing.”
When contacted for comments, National Secretary of the group, Ayo Afolabi hinted that “in due course, the media would be informed of our next line of action at a pre-summit press conference held somewhere in the South-west states,” adding, however, that “there is the need for further actions on the DAWN agenda so that it will not gather dust like others before it.”
Although, Daily Sun gathered that the summit stakeholders were initially taking their time to read the Federal government’s body language to ascertain its disposition towards sthe gathering that was expected to be mammoth, a source close to committee told this reporter that “the successful and uninterrupted two-day South-south economic Summit in Asaba, Delta State last week emboldened our leaders to go ahead with the summit.”
The source further informed that “going by what I have told you, you will discover that by the middle of May, something concrete like its timetable will be in the public domain.”
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