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Tag: YCE

  • YCE urges Fed Govt on economic hardship

    YCE urges Fed Govt on economic hardship

    Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has expressed what it described as grave concern over the ongoing economic hardship pervading the country.

    Noting that the current situation is dehumanising, the Council reminds President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the enthusiasm he enjoyed at the last presidential election was driven by the belief in him to turn things around for good.

    Read Also: Abandoned N500b CCTV project: Senate seeks probe over rising insecurity

    The call was contained in a communique issued by the YCE and signed by Secretary-General, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, after its last quarterly meeting for the year 2023 held at its national secretariat.

  • YCE to Buhari, Southwest governors: don’t disappoint Nigerians

    THE Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), also known as “Igbimo Agba Yoruba”, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to ensure they do not disappoint the majority of the citizens, who voted for them.

    It enjoined the administration to address  issues of insecurity, unemployment, epileptic power supply, farmers/herders clash and others.

    The group also urged Buhari and Osinbajo to see the additional term of four years as a conviction by the majority of Nigerians, who participated in the election that something good would come out of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration at the end of the day.

    These were contained in a congratulatory message issued by the council in Ibadan. It was signed by its president, Dansaaki Ade Agbede, a retired colonel.

    The YCE also felicitated with the newly elected governors in Southwest – Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdulrahmon AbdulRazak (Kwara) and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) – as well as the lawmakers-elect.

    It maintained that the mandate of another term given to Buhari and his deputy should be a wake-up call to them to redouble their efforts.

    The statement also urged the elected Southwest governors and lawmakers to see themselves as one and work for the progress and growth of the Yoruba nation.

    It said: “Politics is over now and political parties’ dichotomy should be jettisoned for the common good of all in the region.

    “We charge them all to see the Yoruba nation as the epicentre of all their activities henceforth. We call on all of them to forge a common front towards advancing our cause as a nation. They should not distance themselves from the people that gave them their mandates and when the need be, they must not hesitate to seek wise counsel from the elders.

    “As a non-partisan body, our doors are opened to all of them, irrespective of whichever political parties they were elected and we are putting it across now that our eyes are on them, They must be conscious at all times that they are being watched. We equally pray that our creator will abide and guide them through the onerous task,” the YCE stated.

     

     

  • YCE president, secretary fight dirty

    A leadership crisis has hit apex Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Yoruba Council of Elders ( YCE ) with the Secretary General Dr. Kunle Olajide dismissing the presidency of Col. Samuel Agbede (retd) as illegitimate.

    Olajide described Agbede as very ambition whose leadership is unacceptable to the members of the council.

    Col. Agbede became president of the council following the demise of Chief Idowu Sofolahan (SAN) in March 2018.

    But the President accused the secretary of being economical with the truth, saying he is driven by the ambition of becoming president at all costs.

    Olajide told reporters in Ibadan the council has not appointed a President since the death of Sofolahan.

    But Agbede countered, saying elders of the council put him in the position.

    According to Olajide, Sofolahan died suddenly on March 23, 2018 and “an attempt to elect a successor on June 27, 2018 ended in chaos.

    “It was therefore decided on the same day to appoint ‘An Interim President’, unconstitutional though, to oversee the affairs of the council briefly – duration or tenure was not specified, for tempers to cool before the election of a new president.

    “Retired Colonel Agbede, who had never been a member of the National Executive Council (NEC) before was appointed in the belief that he was not likely to be ambitious and will therefore be able to impartially supervise the election of the new president.

    “Unfortunately and unbelievably, he became so ambitious that he has resisted every attempt to elect a new president.

    “He had unwholesome actions, including bringing uniformed bouncers to terrorise members at a meeting.

    “On another occasion, he brought miscreants and thugs to disrupt the meeting of state chairmen.

    “At a point, he got five members to pronounce him president and he had insisted he remains president without due process.”

    But speaking on the phone, Agbede described the submission of Olajide as false and distorted information.

    Read Also: YCE to Osinbajo: You’re a good ambassador of Yoruba race

    He argued the elders of YCE chose him as Interim President and later confirmed him after noticing his achievements in office within a short period.

    He said the secretary was at loggerheads with him because the elders rejected his entreaties to be made President.

    This, he reasoned, was because the secretary general had taken YCE to court once, adding Olajide ‘is free to take the council to court the second time.”

    Agbede stated “the elders are united in their decision” and have cautioned the council leadership from talking to reporters on Olajide so as not to expose his alleged misdeeds in the running of affairs of the council.

  • YCE urges Buhari to fire service chiefs

    •’Declare herdsmen as terrorists’

    The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack service chiefs.

    It said this followed their alleged failure to curb killings.

    Rising from a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in honour of its late president, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), YCE said Nigerians had lost confidence in the service chiefs.

    It singled out Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris for blame in security breaches and lack of action to curtail killings of Nigerians, especially the President’s acknowledgement that top officers disobeyed his order to tackle Benue killings.

    IYC said some of the service chiefs were overdue for retirement, adding that Nigerians should be guided by the federal character principle when considering candidates to replace them to balance ethnic composition.

    The senior citizens advised the President to declare herdsmen allegedly responsible for killing, defilement and other crimes terrorists.

    They urged him to reconsider amnesty to repentant Boko Haram militants, saying time is not favourable for such action.

    A communique issued at the end of the meeting, was signed by the Secretary-General, Dr. Kunle Olajide and Chairman of Ekiti Council of Elders, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi.

    The body said recurrent massacre in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa have lent credence to the allegation by a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd), who accused the military of ethnic cleansing.

  • Insecurity: YCE urges Buhari to sack service chiefs

    The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) on Thursday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack all his service chiefs over their alleged failure to curb killings in the country.

    Rising from an expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in honour of its late president, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), the YCE said majority of Nigerians have lost confidence in the service chiefs.

    The Council singled out the Inspector- General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for blame on security breaches and lack of action to curtail killings of innocent Nigerians.

    While pointing out that some of the service chiefs are already overdue for retirement, the YCE urged Nigerians to be guided by the Federal Character principle when considering candidates to replace them to balance ethnic composition.

    The group urged Buhari to declare herdsmen allegedly responsible for killings, rapes and other crimes in some parts of the country as terrorists.

    They advised the President to reconsider the offer of amnesty to repentant Boko Haram militants, saying time is not favourable for such action now.

    The communique issued at the end of the YCE meeting was signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Kunle Olajide and Chairman of Ekiti Council of Elders, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi.

    The body contended that the recurrent massacre in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa have lent credence to an allegation by a former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma, who accused the military of ethnic cleansing.

    The communique reads: “The Yoruba Council of Elders calls on Mr. President to relieve the present security chiefs, some of whom are already overdue for retirement of their position and immediately reconfigure the security architecture of the country to reflect the Federal Character clause in our constitution.

    “Most Nigerians have lost confidence in the security chiefs especially the Inspector- General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, whom the President has publicly acknowledged as disobeying his instructions.

    “The President must shed the toga of Baba go-slow and act promptly on this matter to once again inspire the confidence of the Nigeria people in his administration.

    “A military which publicly claimed to be neutral where the laws of the land are being violated and innocent citizens are mindlessly murdered by armed herdsmen is definitely partisan and can no longer be trusted to protect all Nigerians.”

     

     

  • YCE to Fed Govt: use 1963 constitution, 2014 conference report for restructuring

    YCE to Fed Govt: use 1963 constitution, 2014 conference report for restructuring

    THE Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) yesterday urged the Federal Government to begin the process of restructuring Nigeria by throwing away the 1999 Constitution and the plan to amend it.

    Addressing reporters after its 19th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in its Ibadan headquarters yesterday, the council described the 1999 Constitution as the “old military Decree 24”.

    In the communique read to reporters by its General Secretary, Dr. Kunle Olajide, on behalf of the President-General, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), YCE said the constitution is a pseudo-federal constitution, which is actually a unitary constitution in disguise.

    “It cannot work in a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria,” the council said.

    It read in part: “A constitution that virtually neutralises the local government system, which is the nearest to the people has invariably consigned the people to irrelevance and put development at the grassroots in reverse gear. A constitution and system of government that continue to explore natural resources to enrich the ruling class at the expense of the people cannot endure. This constitution compels corruption.

    “Our country is presently confronted with daunting challenges of increasing youth unemployment, which is fueling insecurity, kidnapping, armed robbery and separatist agitations. These challenges clearly show that Nigeria’s problems are foundational and structural, therefore, constitutional. Unending piecemeal amendments of the 1999 Constitution cannot work. It will merely be postponing the doomsday.

    “The constitution must be discarded, and the 1963 Constitution and the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference should be used as a template for a new ground rule, which will be submitted to the people in a referendum.”

    The council hailed regional integration efforts of Southwest governors and assured them of its support as they raise the stake in preserving the values of the Yoruba people.

    The YCE condoled with the families of the late Alagba Adebayo Faleti and Dr. Olu Onagoruwa. They passed away last week.

    The council described Faleti as a cultural icon of Yorubaland, Yoruba language exponent, poet and dramatist. It also described Onagoruwa as a foremost solicitor and advocate, a human rights activist and fighter for press freedom.

    It urged government at all levels to pay more attention to the plights of pensioners, saying they deserved to enjoy their old age in peace.

    Other NEC members at the meeting included Prof. Adetohun Ogunseye, Chief Mrs. Bola Doherty and Chief Ayo Ojebode.

  • YCE, Ekiti Afenifere commiserate with Osun, others

    THE Yoruba Council of Elders (YEC) and Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere have commiserated with Governor Rauf Aregbesola and people of Osun State on the loss of the state’s first civilian Governor Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.
    A statement endorsed by its Secretary General, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), the group said the late politician “will be remembered for his many great feats achieved while in office, notable among others being his investment in the education sector with the establishment of the Polytechnic in Iree and the College of Technology at Esa-Oke, as well as the work done on the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation. He was truly a man with the interests of his people at heart.”
    The statement also commiserated with Yoruba traditional rulers.
    “To the royal fathers, most especially Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, the Yoruba Council of Elders sends their condolences and prayers on the loss of their illustrious son. We pray that the Almighty will grant all who knew the late Senator Adeleke the fortitude to bear this loss.
    “The death of Adeleke was a big blow to the Yoruba nation at the time we need him for our agitation for federalism and fiscal policy. No doubt his death for a man, who was a grassroots politician, was a great blow to the people of his constituency and he has left a big void in Southwest politics,” YCE noted.
    In a statement by the Ekiti State Afenifere Chairman, Elder Yemi Alade and Publicity Secretary, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae, the group expressed regrets that Adeleke died at his prime.
    The group said Adeleke was a man of honour, integrity and a progressive voice in the Yoruba nation.
    Afenifere recounted the achievements recorded during Adeleke’s tenure at a young age, appealing to his family to keep his ideals alive.
    Commiserating with Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the death of one of his predecessors, Afenifere urged him to seek solace in Allah with the belief that the former governor left an indelible mark in the political landscape.

  • Evolve strategies for recession, YCE tells Fed Govt

    The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has advised the Federal Government to evolve strategies to cushion the effect of recession on the citizens.

    The group, which gave the advice during a visit to one of its founding fathers, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, at his Ilupeju, Lagos, home, said the economic meltdown has increased poverty among the people.

    The Chairman of the Lagos chapter, Francis Akinnikawe, said measures adopted by the government to end the recession should be harnessed for effectiveness.

    Otunba Aremu Akindele, a former chairman of Ifako Ijaye Local Government, decried rising youth unemployment, saying a conducive atmosphere is needed to encourage local and foreign investments.

    He called on the Yoruba to take their rightful place in the scheme of things.

    Akindele observed that if the Yoruba could unite and speak with one voice on national issues they could resist all forms of oppression and marginalisation.

    He urged Southwest governors to embrace economic integration to develop the region and liberate the people.

  • YCE rejects nomadic grazing

    The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) rose from its meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, describing attacks of herdsmen on farmers in Southern Nigeria as a major threat to the nation’s corporate existence.

    In a communiqué at the end of the meeting by its President-General and Secretary, Major Gen.Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) and Chief Idowu Sofola, the YCE called for the scrapping of nomadic grazing in the 21st Century, describing it as obsolete.

    “Cattle rearing is a private business. Those who engage in it must be duly registered with all relevant state agencies for ease of regulation of their activities and tax purposes,” it said.

    The YCE posited that states where cattle grazing are prevalent must be compelled to establish grazing resorts and ranches for herdsmen, adding that inter-state grazing must be criminalised.

    It called on security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities by promptly arresting and prosecuting perpetrators of the Agatu and Enugu attacks.

    “All those violating Firearms Act must also be prosecuted,” it stated.

  • Afenifere, YCE, others eulogise HID in Ikenne

    Afenifere, YCE, others eulogise HID in Ikenne

    It was commendation galore for the late Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo yesterday at the family’s residence in Ikenne, Ogun State, where dignitaries from across the Southwest converged.

    The Efunyela Hall located within the sprawling compound was filled to capacity.

    Members of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) and Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) were in attendance.

    In its tribute read by Senator Femi Okunrounmu, the YUF noted that by her life, Mrs Awolowo had demonstrated the qualities of a truly virtuous wife and a dutiful mother.

    The Forum likened her to Queen Isabella I of Castile who, with her husband, Ferdinand II of Aragon, unified the hitherto separate territories of Castile and Aragon and through their joint efforts, brought a lot of improvements to what is now modern Spain.

    It recalled that “throughout Papa Obafemi Awolowo’s political life, Mama H.I.D remained a constant source of support, bonded to him spiritually and ideologically, an ever ready and committed partner in the protection and defence of Yoruba unity.

    “Her most recent effort, in her final years to prevent the collapse of Yoruba unity, was her intervention to bridge the schism that had been created in Afenifere.

    “When all internal efforts as well as efforts  had failed to resolve the conflict, Mama  became the last resort to whom the Afenifere leadership turned.

    “Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, the conflict proved irresolvable.

    “She responded favourably to suggestions that a non-partisan, all embracing forum be created for all Yoruba. This idea gave birth to the Yoruba Unity Forum, of which she was the chairman until her death.”

    Afenifere scribe Chief Sehinde Arogbofa said there was no way Awolowo’s story will be complete without  his wife.

    Arogbofa said Mrs. Awolowo deserves commendation for holding the forte when her husband travelled abroad for further studies.

    “Her transition has closed an era that spanned through many decades,” he added.

    The YCE, in its tribute by Mrs Bola Doherty, stated: “YCE is here today not to mourn but to celebrate the distinguished and worthy lifeof our very dear Life Grand Matron, a position unanimously conferred on her on Octobr 21, 2000.

    It lauded HID’s courage for attending the occasion despite threats to her life.

    “YCE will never forget the boldness, fearlessness and love of the progress of Yoruba nation, which Mama HID demonstrated on that day.

    “Another demonstration of valour in this woman of indestructible spirit was the way she supported her husband during the UPN presidential campaign in 1978-1979.”

    The patron of the Oodua Foundation in the United States, Prof Banji Akintoye, said the late Mrs Awolowo was elevated to higher responsibilities right from her youth, noting that she became the First Lady of the old Western Region in her 30s.

    Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) band serenaded the guests.

    NYSC Director Mr J.A. Afolayan said corps members will miss her moral support.

    Dignitaries at the occasion include Chief Olaniwun Ajayi; Bishop Bolaji Gbonigi; Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Chief Cornelius Adebayo; Chief Supo Sonibare, Chief Jimi Agbaje; Senator Tony Adefuye; Admiral Akin Aduwo (rtd); Senator Femi Ojudu and Chief Idowu Sofola.

    Others are Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Mr Niyi Owolade; Alhaji Onasoga; Chief F.A. Taiwo; Princess Bisi Sangodoyin; Hon Moshood Salvador; Chief Ebenezer Babatope; Mr Remi Olayiwola; Chief Tunde Akintayo; Chief Ajayi Adekunle; Mr Korede Duyile and Chief Segun Oladipo.