Afenifere Harps On Security, Assistance To Farmers … Hails Pa Adebanjo At 96 …Wants Yoruba To become Language Of Teaching At Elementary Schools

The pan socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, has called on Governments and security agencies to take the issue of insecurity more seriously because of the serious dangers it is posing to lives and property in the country.

The call was part of the discussions that took place during the Caucus Meeting of the body at the residence of its Leader, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR, in Akure, Ondo State.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, said that the Caucus meeting deliberated on various issues pertaining to Yorubaland and Nigeria.

“The meeting took note of a ‘safe-our-soul’ visit that some farmers paid to Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, OFR, beckoning on him to prevail on the authorities to let them have access to facilities that will enhance their productivity. These facilities are in form of loans and grants.”

Those who came to Papa said that they want to be able to enjoy these facilities as thier counterparts in other parts of the country.

“The meeting then called on Governments in Yoruba speaking states to make it easier for farmers in their respective states to be able to access loan and grant facilities available at various levels – federal, state and local.

“Sometimes, it was discovered that what made it difficult for farmers in the South West to access these funds is the failure or reluctance of state goverments to pay counterpart funds or to even sincerely operate loans and grants facilities available to farmers. The meeting therefore urged the governments to improve in this respect”.

According to Ajayi, the Caucus meeting also took note of challenges posed by banditry to farmers. “Even if resources are available, farmers must have a sense of security to be able to do thier works in the farms.

“This was what made participants at the meeting to call on the government and security agencies to up their ante so as to put a permanent end to insecurity in the land. Availability of security would enable farmers to practise unfettered. It would enable traders and travellers to move around freely without any fear of being molested or kidnapped.”

The meeting took note of the efforts being made by some governments in the South West to check the menace of herders who are terrorizing farmers on their own lands.

It urged them to do more “as reports coming in kept indicating the pains being suffered by farmers in the hands of some unscrupulous Fulani herders”.

The Caucus meeting also regretted that many parents no longer speak Yoruba language in their respective homes let alone teach their children and wards.

The organization then urged parents to change their attitude so that Yoruba language does not become extinct in the near future.

It also called on Governments in the Yoruba speaking states to make Yoruba the language of tutelage at primary school level up to the junior secondary school level (JSS).

Ajayi also quoted Pa Fasoranti as sending his heartfelt congratulations to Chief Ayo Adebanjo who turned 96 yesterday, April 10, 2024.

“The Caucus, at the meeting, rejoiced with one of Afenifere leaders, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, thanked the Almighty God for sparing his life thus far and prayed for many more years of healthy and prosperous living for him.”

Incidentally, the Leader, Pa Fasoranti himself, will turn 98 on May 11 this year.