In the last number of days, I have been getting calls from within the
\nYoruba Nation on some recent publications in the Nigerian mainstream
\nmedia under my name which in journalistic parlance is called “by-line.”
\n. The calls have also caused me to make some calls. The publications are
\nabout Professor Banji Akintoye.<\/p>\n
The concerns of those who have been calling me, it seemed, was that
\nthere is currently a crisis of confidence and trust in Yoruba land and
\nthat those publications have been fueling such. The crisis of confidence
\nand trust, it appeared, stemmed from the reported choice of Professor
\nBanji Akintoye as the new leader of Yoruba Nation by a cross section of
\nself-determination groups numbering over 50. The number of the groups
\nhas been variegated.<\/p>\n
I must state unequivocally, that while I did not in anyway cause the
\nrecent publications or republications of the article in question, I have
\nnothing against it being republished because it was and still is meant
\nfor public consumption. That some have found it relevant for their own
\nagenda, and as such republishing it, have no direct or indirect
\nfunctional relationship with Remi Oyeyemi.<\/p>\n
Secondly, some of those who called or sent messages to me were
\nsuggesting that it is being insinuated in some circles that I am behind
\nthese recent publications of that old piece, as a part of a grand plan
\nto divide the Yoruba leaders. This is sheer blackmail. It is a complete,
\ntotal and gross falsehood.<\/p>\n
I wrote the piece in question and published it on May 22, 2019, under
\nthe title of STEPHEN ADEBANJI AKINTOYE: A TEACHER OF TEACHERS. That was
\nclearly three months ahead of the event in Ibadan, that took place on
\nAugust 21, 2019. The article was not a political commentary. It had and
\nstill has nothing to do with politics. It has nothing to do with any
\npolitical leadership aspiration of any person. The contents themselves,
\nspeak volume to the validity of this point.<\/p>\n
It was a piece meant to extol the excellence and exceptonality of Pa
\nAkintoye as a distinguished intellectual giant. It was a piece meant to
\nget those who might be opportuned to read it a renewed sense of pride in
\ntheir History. It was meant as a clarion call to wake up those who knew
\nnot who they were to discover their identity.<\/p>\n
From Pa Reuben Fasoranti to Pa Ayo Adebanjo to Pa Banji Akintoye, they
\nare all my heroes. And I believe they are heroes of the Yoruba Nation.
\nThey built the Yoruba Nation as we knew it and gave us the pride with
\nwhich we saunter around and seek to create a new future for ourselves
\nand the coming generations. They have made a lot of sacrifices. They
\nhave paid their dues.<\/p>\n
So, if there is any scheme by any group for any reason, I am not aware
\nof it. The republication of that my article in the mainstream media in
\nthe last several days was not done by me. If it suits the agenda of any
\ngroup, I am not in position to control that. But I am not against the
\nrepublishing of the article that is meant for public consumption in the
\nfirst place. I am in my \u00d2s\u00f3m\u00e0\u00e1lo farm trying to eke out a living.<\/p>\n
I had written that article, which was unsolicited, not even by Prof.
\nAkintoye himself, for every reason that had and still has nothing to do
\nwith politics. When he called me after the publication in May this year,
\nhe had expressed surprise that I did not let him know about it upfront.
\nMy response was that I did not want to read my impression of him at his
\ngrave side.<\/p>\n
I have not spoken to Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Banji Akintoye on this
\nmatter, both of whom I have written about positively unprompted. They
\nhave paid their dues and anyone of them is eminently qualified to lead
\nthe Yoruba Nation. Deliberately too, I did not call Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
\nHe remains the leader of Afenifere without any question. And I don’t
\nthink anyone is agonizing over that. I am very much aware that Pa
\nFasoranti and Pa Akintoye knew and still know each other more than any
\nof us does in my generation or those ones behind us. It is wrong for
\nsome who have their hidden agenda to seek to fuel any crisis between Pa
\nFasoranti, Pa Adebanjo and Pa Akintoye.<\/p>\n
Pa Fasoranti, Pa Adebanjo and Pa Akintoye are still good friends and are
\nstill talking as far as I am aware. I am sure that the survival of the
\nYoruba Nation is more importamt to them than any position resulting from
\nthe adventures of our concerned youths in the self-determination groups.
\nThey know more than any of us that “T\u00ed \u00d2giri \u00f2 b\u00e1 la enu, Al\u00e1mgb\u00e1
\nk\u00f2 l\u00e8 r’\u00e1y\u00e8 wo b\u00e8.”<\/p>\n
Eventually, I would still reach out to these leaders at a more
\nauspicious time. But my appeal remains the same: they should not allow
\npeople to come in between them. They should not go the route of
\ndemonizing any of each other. The enemies are inside the house, prancing
\naround to devour us. That should be our focus and concern.<\/p>\n
May El\u00e9d\u00f9mar\u00e8 bless the Yor\u00f9b\u00e1 Nation.<\/p>\n
May HE continues to guide, guard and glitter the path of our Nation.<\/p>\n
May the Or\u00edgun m\u00e9r\u00ecnd\u00ednl\u00f3g\u00fan of Odua land bless us all<\/p>\n
O\u00f2du\u00e0 \u00e1 gb\u00e8 w\u00e1 o. Ase.<\/p>\n
\u00a9Remi Oyeyemi<\/p>\n
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android [1]
\nSent from Yahoo Mail on Android [1]<\/p>\n