Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, one of the daughters of the former Premier of the defunct Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, on Thursday expressed her disappointment over the absence of governors from the South-West region at a book launch organised in honor of her father. It was gathered that all six governors from the region were duly invited for the event which was held at International Conference Center, University of Ibadan, on Thursday.
Awolowo-Dosumu, while speaking at the book presentation of the Yoruba translation of an autobiography of Chief Awolowo, titled ‘AWO’ organised by Alaroye newspaper, a Yoruba tabloid, said it was unfortunate that Governors in the region; Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) shunned the programme while only Seyi Makinde (Oyo), sent his Deputy, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan.
Awolowo-Dosumu, in her presentation at the event attended by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi; Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Alabi; Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, Mr. Gani Adams and Yinka Odumakin among others, said it is disheartening that none of the governors invited was present at the event.
She said, “We called this gathering in the name of our father, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I am so delighted to see the Alaafin of Oyo here. “Awolowo was the premier of the western region which covers eight states of the present government.
“It is disheartening that only one state governor sent a representative. I don’t know whether the governors do not like Chief Awolowo. “I encourage Yoruba elders to be visionary and not forsake their visions. Awolowo never forsook his vision for the Yoruba race, and that’s why we’re all benefiting from it.”
The guest speaker, Professor Banji Akintoye encouraged young Yoruba people to emulate Chief Awolowo and continue with his legacies. He stirred up the conscience of Yoruba people to reject being dominated by people from other regions in Nigeria. Akintoye said, “We thank Alaroye for this. This is a wakeup call to the Yoruba race, so that our nation the Yoruba nation will not be brought down by anybody.
It is enough that we have been submerged in Nigeria as a county, nevertheless, we should not allow the submergence to destroy us. “There is an intention by a small group of people to reduce the Yoruba race. “It is a deliberate attempt by the few people to destroy the people of Nigeria. The Yoruba people must not permit.
“We must continue with our culture of hospitality, but, if anybody or any group threaten our land, we have the strength and power to expunge them from our land, and we will.”
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