Make Yoruba Medium Of Teaching, Communication In Junior Schools,Houses Of Assembly, Afenifere Urges South West Govs,Legislators …Food Security, Restructuring, Amotekun Top Agenda In Group’s Caucus Meeting

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AFENIFERE CAUCUS MEETING HELD AT THE AKURE RESIDENCE OF THE LEADER, PA REUBEN FASORANTI, OFR, ON TUESDAY JANUARY 28, 2025.

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, held a Caucus meeting in the Akure home of the Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR.

After the opening prayer, The Leader, Pa Fasoranti, welcomed members to the meeting and wished everyone a successful deliberation.In attendance at the meeting were representatives from various State Chapters of Afenifere.

At the instance of the Leader, His Royal Majesty, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa OFR, presided over the meeting. The leader was in attendance throughout the duration of the meeting.

Deliberations:

The meeting deliberated on issues affecting the organization, Yorubaland, and Nigeria as a whole. Among the issues discussed were the state of the nation with particular reference to education, agriculture, socio-economic, and security situations in the country. Afenifere also reiterated its position on restructuring as imperative at this juncture as a means of achieving a better lease of life for the people.

i. The meeting heard reports of some kidnapping incidents and herders/farmers clashes; particularly in Yorubaland.

ii. The meeting took note of the efforts being made by the federal government to revamp the economy. In view of the pivotal roles that energy plays not only in an economy but even in the well-being of the people, the meeting deliberated on efforts being made in this respect with particular reference to electricity and fossil energy – petroleum products in particular.

iii. The meeting took note of the desire by the federal government for local governments to have fiscal autonomy, as exemplified by the Supreme Court Ruling on the issue as well as other steps being taken by the federal government. Afenifere enjoined the government to expedite action in this regard so that the policy will become operational as soon as possible.The meeting also implored local governments in the country to ensure that their people derive maximum benefits from the resources coming to them both from the federal allocation as well as from those they generate internally.

iv. Finally, the meeting took note of the shortage in the availability – as well as high costs – of food items.

After comprehensive deliberations, the meeting then resolved as follows:

1. In view of the present security situation, as stated interalia, Afenifere advocated for the overhauling of the security architecture in the country. This is with a view at ensuring that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way. Such reworking should include accelerating actions on the decision of the government to have state police.There is also the urgent need to include modern technology more comprehensively in the efforts at combating banditry and terrorism. Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land. Afenifere also advocated for the

(i). licensing of states’ security networks code-named ‘Amotekun’ in Yoruba- speaking states to carry lethal weapons. This can be done prepatory to the setting up of State Police.

(ii). Afenifere also called for greater cooperation between Amotekun corps and other security agencies.

(iii). Command and Control posts be installed across all the local government areas so that information can be shared in real-time as is done in many developed and not-so-developed countries.

2. Afenifere is very persistent on the need to ensure that Yoruba language is used more as a medium of communication. The body specifically called on Governments in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the medium of teaching at elementary levels of our education: kindergarten/nursery, primary and junior secondary schools. Afenifere also urged Legislatures in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the language of conducting their legislative businesses as much as possible.

3. In view of the strategic position that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Plc and Independent Oil Marketers occupy in the oil sector, Afenifere strongly called on them to let the interest of the nation, nay the interest of the people of Nigeria, be uppermost in their minds and actions.

4. In view of the high costs of food items in the country, Afenifere urged states and local governments to make things easy for local farmers by providing them with needed resources – even at subsidized rates. This will not only make foodstuffs more available; it will also enhance the council’s finances and boost the local economy.

5. Afenifere called on President Bola Tinubu to leverage on his known democratic credential as a federalist by quickening the country’s realization of true federalism as soon as possible.

6. The meeting commiserated with Engr. Oluwaseyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor, on the demise of his elder brother, Engineer Sunday Makinde. The meeting prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and strong hearts for those he left behind to bear the loss.

7. The meeting concluded by calling on governments at all levels so that the people can enjoy a better lease of life.

Signed:

Comrade Jare Ajayi

National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere.