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Tag: Afenifere Renewal Group

  • Afenifere group calls for electronic voting, fresh voters register

    Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) on Sunday advocated implementation of electronic voting in the country before the next general elections.

    It also asked that current voters register be cleaned up before contemplating conduct of the next elections.

    The group says it will continue to agitate for the restructuring of Nigeria’s governance architecture without compromise.

    This stance was conveyed in a communique issued at the end of the group’s 2019 retreat at the Government House, Ado Ekiti.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique was read to journalists on Sunday evening at the end of the two-day retreat.

    According to the document, presented by its National Publicity Secretary Mr Kunle Famoriyo, the group says it believes all parts of the country stand to benefit from a properly restructured Nigeria, in spite of whatever fears are harboured by the different nationality groups.

    The ARG also called on state governments in the Southwest to evolve policies that would promote Yoruba identity, values, orientation and economic prosperity.

    ” We demand that the acceptable Yoruba socio-political leadership is one that protects the social welfare interests and values of our people

    ” We, therefore, look forward expectantly to appropriate reforms in the leadership structure. It is trite that when political leadership is wrong, beneficial socio-economic and infrastructural policies are always the causalty,” the group stated.

    While stating its readiness to provide a platform to encourage greater political participation, it called on stakeholders to begin early advocacy on the implementation of the electoral and legislative reforms before the next general elections.

    Read also: Rivers APC kicks as INEC resumes collation of March 9 elections results

    ARG also called for full implementation of electronic voting and clean up of voters register, adding that the exercise must be carried out before the next general election.

    “ARG recognises the importance of the Yoruba Diaspora in the transfer of progressive knowledge and processes in their countries of residence to Yoruba homelands.

    ” This critical demography can help us achieve a lot of progress if they get involved in the political processes right from their different bases, while also offering their technical expertise towards improving the socio-political and economic landscape of the Yoruba homelands,” the group stated. (NAN)

  • Fayemi to S’ West Leaders: Put aside party politics for regional Integration

    The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has urged Southwest leaders to to jettison party politics in the interest of the region for the sustainable development.

    Fayemi said the region can only regain its pride of place in the country’s political configuration unless leaders never allow national politics to divide them.

    He stated that all efforts must be geared by the leaders irrespective of political affinity towards the development of South West region.

    He added that for desirous interest of Yoruba to be promoted and protected, there must be unity of purpose and togetherness.

    Fayemi who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Saturday at a national retreat held by Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), disclosed that the All Progressives Congress governors in the southwest will work with the governor elect in Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde in the interest of the region.

    The governor, however, said Yoruba race needs to be more tactical if desirous to actualise its advocacy issue of restructuring .

    He urged the proponents of the policy in the region to change strategy and reach out to other regions on how to actualise the dream of Nigeria being restructured economically and politically.

    On the deeply entrenched voter apathy in the southwest region, the last election, 16.2 million registered in the southwest, but said the outcome in all the states were shocking.

    “There are those who entertained fear on this issue of restructuring and whether this is legitimate or not, we must reach out to them, because we are not an island onto ourselves.

    “We don’t need to be shouting on the roof top before we get it, but if we want to do it alone, the agitation will fall”, he warned.

    Read Also: Appeal Court okays Fayemi’s election

    Expressing regret over voter apathy in the southwest, Fayemi said : “in the last presidential poll, Ekiti registered 909,000 voters , only 381,000 voted, 0sun 1.67million , only 737,000 voted, Ondo, 1.8m registered , 586,00, Oyo, 2.7m registered , 891,000 voted, 2.36m registered in Ogun, 605,000 voted and Lagos with 6.3m, only 1.56m voted.

    “This might be caused by deficit of trust or fraudulent multiple registration, but whatever the case was, as long as we remain a constituent part of this country, ARG should reflect on this and act appropriately.

    “If it was as a result of deficit of voter education, then the ARG and governments need a lot to do. Religion also affected us, because some people were brainwashed to vote based on religious considerations”.

    The governors of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu and Osun, Gboyega Oyetola, said all the distinguishable traits of the southwest region initiated during the old western region must he brought back in the interest of the zone.

    Governors of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, said what could be regarded as distinguishable attributes of the Yoruba people is quest for development and good governance and that these should be sustained in the interest of the people.

    The Osun governor, Oyetola, represented by his chief of staff, Dr. Charles Akinola said: ” the Yorubaness in us and those things that separated us from others are our developmental drives, our intellectual rigour, our brilliance, circumspection and those values however, have not really taken us to where we deserve”.

    Oyetola also appealed to the southwest governments to leverage on its human capital in the diaspora and bring them home for the benefit of all.

    Also speaking, Ondo state governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, represented by the commissioner for Regional Integration, Prof Bayonle Ademodi, added that the southwest is also facing serious economic and political crises that needed to be addressed.

    “We have to be really worried that the instability and insecurity in the sahel has started affecting us and we need to get worried.

    ” We knew we had to think outside the box in the southwest on how to bring our own paradigm and we thought of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) to work on how to put us back on the right track.

    Akeredolu said the act of using desperation to get into power is becoming high in the region, saying this has made it difficult for people to have control over their leaders.

    The National Chairman of the group, Hon Wale Oshun, reiterated the issue of restructuring and advised that it should be taken back to the front burner to benefit the Yoruba race.

    Oshun said in spite of different decisions taken by the southwest in the last elections that the values of whim he Yoruba people are remain the same.

    “The Yoruba people are progressive people. We are lovely and we care for each other . We are welfarists and we remain the same despite out stand in the just concluded governorship and legislative elections.

    ” All we want as a people is to ensure that our interests at the national level are protected and that we get a fair deal in the scheme of things”.

    Oshun, however, expressed fear that Yoruba language is fast going into extinction due to paradigm shift caused by globalisation and laxity on the part of some parents.

    ” This is one issue our governments and traditional rulers must correct and prevent from happening. That was why we started the Yoruba academy and we have been working on this with some States’.

    The group’s leader also advocated true federalism urging political leaders in the region to take a firm stand to protect the rights of the Yoruba race.

    “Our leaders who know that restructuring is an issue that is germane to speak up the way the ACF used to speak on some national issues”.

  • APC will restore Awolowo’s legacies in Ekiti – Fayemi

    APC will restore Awolowo’s legacies in Ekiti – Fayemi

    The  Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi,  on Tuesday said the  All Progressives Congress (APC) would restore  the legacies of  the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in Ekiti.

    He spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the 109th posthumous  birthday of  Awolowo organised by the Ekiti  chapter of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

    Fayemi,  the immediate past governor of the state, said his administration  had delivered on the four cardinal programmes of  the late sage.

    He identified these as free education, free healthcare for children,  pregnant women and the   old and physically challenged as well as  job creation and rural development.

    Fayemi vowed that the legacies  would be restored back in the state if  the APC emerges victorious in the July 14 governorship election in the state.

    ” If we remember, for the past 11  years,  we have been celebrating Awolowo’s  birthday since 2017

    ” What is most important is that those of us behind who God has given the opportunity to lead  must pay our dues and help our people in Yoruba land.

    “ Awolowo has done a great deal and that is why we are celebrating him since he died in 1987. He is still being celebrated in Ikenne today like we are doing in Ekiti

    ”  A prominent Yoruba leader, Pa Fasanmi,  once told me that Awolowo wished he  had been born in Ekiti because then, his largest followers were from Ekiti and he knew everyone in the state

    ”  If he was alive today, he would have been in APC as his political party. This is because this party was founded on Awo’s political ideals. We are Awolowo’s descendants in Ekiti

    ” We know Awolowo for what we call four cardinal points.

    “From the days of the  Action Group  and Unity Party, these are free education, free healthcare for children, pregnant, old and disabled, job creation and rural development.

    ” If  you remember, all these points were what we ensued  when we were in power in Ekiti, sadly they are no more in the state

    ” In conclusion, don’t let us  lose hope,  all these ideals of Awo, we will ensure we do all we could to return them to Ekiti.

    “I appreciate the ARG for celebrating the late sage,  Awolowo. In truth,  all of us who are of Yoruba race, it is high time we took up our role as leaders. We are the leaders of the black race, ”  he said.

    Also extolling the virtues of the  late Awolowo,  Gov.  Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State  said: ” We are celebrating what Awolowo stood for which is the advancement of the Yoruba and African race. Ours is pureness of heart.

    “Awolowo has played his part, it remains for us to play ours.

    “ We cannot all forget the immense contribution of Awolowo,  especially among the Yoruba race.

    “ Afenifere song was composed by Awolowo. The song says that we the Yoruba are the light of the black race, may God not allow us to draw ourselves backwards.

    ” When Awolowo was incarcerated in those days, Hubert Ogunde counselled us to  have a rethink in his popular song.  Yoruba Ronu.’’

    “Celebrating Awo’s legacy would make us remember the great contributions of our great forbears. I urge all Yorubas to have a rethink and reunite. We must all work together for our progress

    ” We are in the quagmire in this country and God will not come down to help us. He would send someone.

    “Once we have seen the person,  we will know with what he has done and what he would do. You know we are the same, I cannot deceive you, we have brought goodies for you in APC, ”  he said.

    Also speaking, Mr  Ayo Afolabi,  who represented the Chairman of  ARG, Wale Osun, said “every society reveres it forbears. We all talk about Awolowo. His works shall not perish.

    “We are here to celebrate Awolowo,  so we won’t forget his legacies. APC is the party that we the Afenifere have embraced.

    “It is the party that can assist the Yoruba race to the promised land. We enjoin all people to vote for the party in Ekiti.”

    The guest speaker at the occasion, Prof. Williams Fawole, lamented that many politicians seeking political office in the country lack germane ideas to lead.

    In his speech entitled, “Obafemi Awolowo and Transformative Politics: Sustaining The Worthy Legacy,’’  the don  urged politicians to imitate Awolowo by being original.

    “What stands Awolowo out as a unique politician and better leader is his original ideas.

    “Anyone who doesn’t have freshness of ideas cannot be seen as a true leader.

    “Awolowo’s legacies cannot perish,  we urge our politicians today to follow his footsteps so their own contributions could be remembered,’’ he said.

    NAN

     

  • Afenifere Renewal Group backs Ambode on Yoruba language law

    •Yoruba Professionals hail Lagos governor

    The Lagos State pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), has hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for signing the Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Law of 2018.

    The ARG said the law was another first in the country as it would arrest the decline of Yoruba usage among youths.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Ayanleye Yinka, ARG described the governor’s move as “heartening” for the Yoruba race in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

    It said: “This epoch-making law with the active participation of the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly was a bold step in preserving our language, its usage that is fast becoming unpopular among younger generations, which should be the natural propagators, are even embarrassed to speak the language, thereby making it to inadvertently die a slow death and on its way to extinction.

    “With this novel law and many of his laudable interventions in the affairs of the Southwest, Governor Ambode has demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a man of courage and foresight.”

    The group hailed the state for demonstrating its role as “a pacesetter in advancing and strengthening the course of true democracy in a federation with diverse cultures and languages”.

    It added: “The Lagos State chapter of ARG and its leadership, led by Victor Ayotunde Bankole Osunloye, have been reassured by the governor’s uncommon leadership, valour and commitment that the goals and objectives of the Southwest, which has been laid by our late sage (Chief Obafemi Awolowo), would come to fruition before long.”

    It urged other Southwest states to emulate Ambode’s “audacity of leadership”.

    Also, Yoruba professionals, the Southwest Think-Tank (SWETT), has hailed Governor Ambode for signing the law.

    Ambode, on February 8, signed the bill into law, making it possible for Lagos residents to promote and propagate the Yoruba language.

    The law has also paved the way for students to be admitted into any state-owned tertiary institutions with a credit pass in Yoruba language.

    SWETT described the move as timely and rewarding for the Yoruba nation.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos by its Secretary, Dr. Femi Adeogun, SWETT said: “By this singular effort, Governor Ambode   has displayed an uncommon trait of an Omoluabi, setting the pace for other governors to emulate.

    “Since his assumption to the exalted position as governor of Lagos State, Mr. Ambode has never hidden his passion for the development of the Yoruba race, an attribute that has garnered for him more respect and honour among the Yoruba, particularly promoters of Yoruba culture and tradition…”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tinubu hails Afenifere leader, says no automatic ticket for Buhari

    Tinubu hails Afenifere leader, says no automatic ticket for Buhari

    The 14 -year old friction among Yoruba leaders which led to a crack in the pan Yoruba-group, Afenifere with the carving out of the parallel

    Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) was on Wednesday resolved following a private meeting between the National Leader of the All Progressives

    Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

     The meeting held behind closed doors at Chief Fasoranti’s residence had in attendance,some Yoruba leaders including the former APC

    Interim National Chairman,Chiefs Bisi Akande,Olu Falae, Femi Alike and Baba Omojola and others.

    Speaking with reporters shortly after the meeting, the former Lagos State governor acknowledged the leadership virtues of Fasoranti to the

    unity of Yoruba land.
    He described the Octogenarian as ‘a great leader of Omoluabi,who has remained a leader right from his youth.
    While speaking on the move by some APC governors to give automatic ticket to President Muhammad Bulgari for second term in 2019, Tinubu said “we have not heard about that and the party spokesman has not said that” .
    “No governor can appropriate the power of endorsement  to themselves.
    According to him”Buhari is a believer in  process,the Buhari I know believes in rule of law.We wanted him even before  the last convention and primaries of the party and Akeredolu is here standing with me,he was not the governor then.
    “He was one of the leading delegates that  voted properly and Buhari was a clear winner.
    “We follow all the constitutional provision and an individual opinion does not matter at this stage
    The former governor said Buhari would want a normal process , saying”Buhari that know,who says he will lose at any convention?
    However, he said if the National body,the National Executive Committee(NEC)party members endorsed him as our single  candidate, we will not be violating the  Independent National Electoral Commission((INEC)  regulations.
    Tinubu added that members would not also violate the APC constitution, saying “what you are hearing is just a campaign
    According to him,Buhari has not excluded anybody,and affect the ambition of any individual.
    He said”I am in Akure to acknowledge the leadership of Pa Fasoranti in our own race,as a great leader of the omoluwabi and in his evening.
    “We want him to be happy ,he has been a great leader in his youth and day child. His intellectual is still very intact.I seek his advice,  his understanding and prayers and ,that is why I am here”.
    In his response, Fasoranti said he was excited on the visit of Tinubu, describing the development as sign of good things to come to Yoruba nation.
    He said”the coming together of Yoruba leaders is an indication of great thing to come in the land. With this, there will be a great understanding which will hasten unity and development in Yoruba land”.
    Fasoranti described Tinubu as a leader in his own right, describing his visit as a welcome development.
    The APC National leader who arrived Akure Airport around 12 noon was received by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, State Executive Council (SEC) members and Party Stalwarts across the state.
  • Dipo Famakinwa’s death a huge loss – ARG

    Dipo Famakinwa’s death a huge loss – ARG

    •Aregbesola, Ajimobi mourn late DAWN Commission boss
    •He recalled before death how family, friends forced him to take vacation

    The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has expressed shock over the death of pioneer Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, (DAWN) Commission, Dipo Famakinwa.

    The ARG which midwifed the DAWN Commission described Famakinwa’s  death as a huge loss to the group, the southwest region, and Yoruba people. Until his death, Famakinwa was a key member of the group.

    In a  statement jointly signed by ARG Chairman – Hon. Olawale Oshun and Secretary – Chief Ayo Afolabi, the group said: “The DAWN Agenda may have remained a document on the shelves, like many of such in Nigeria but Famakinwa, following the adoption of the Commission by the Southwest Governors, worked hard to give life to it and nurtured the seed to a blossoming tree that is now the model and go-to place as far as regional integration in Nigeria is concerned.”

    “The renewed fervour by Southwest States regarding regional integration and cooperation, which has led to smooth cooperation among Southwest Governors, is largely due to the work put in by the DAWN Commission under Famakinwa’s leadership.

    “We take solace in the fact that he has written his name in the golden pages of our history. We in ARG and millions of other Yoruba people across the world will not forget his contributions to the development of our people.”

    The deceased in a post on his Facebook Page last month, shared  how his family members and friends had forced him to take a vacation because they felt he was working too hard: “The year started for my colleagues and I on a high note. Everything was running at a frenzy. Then close people started telling me that I was working too hard and needed to slow down. In my opinion, it’s early in the year and not a good time for vacation.

    “I kept running at high steam, and then the conspiracy started. My wife managed to recruit my friend, who is also a colleague, and my Executive Assistant into the plot. Even my daughter!

    “They started making arrangements to send me away, without my knowledge. When my wife finally told me, I resisted. She put me under a lot of pressure, but I refused. My colleagues also did the same, I ignored them.”

    Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola and his Oyo Senator Abiola Ajimobi have also expressed shock over his death.

    In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said: “We are left speechless with this sudden loss. Famakinwa has been very dogged in the pursuit of that assignment given to him. He was committed wholeheartedly to the progress of the Yoruba. Through the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, we have moved to accelerate regional revolutionary growth to rediscover our strength as a people of common heritage through agriculture, culture, education, and even sports development.”

    In a  statement by his Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to the governor, Mr.Yomi Layinka, Ajimobi described the deceased as a fine gentleman committed to the integration of the Southwest and adoption of a regional common agenda, the governor said that his death had left a gaping hole that would be difficult to fill.

    Ajimobi said, “The enigma called Death has again cut short the life of one of our shining stars. I’m still in shock, because when we attended the last meeting together, I never had an inkling that I was seeing him for the last time.”