YMG solicits support for promotion of economic and political development of Yoruba race

ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA

Perturbed at the current state of the nation, Yoruba Mandate Group (YMG) has  sought to promote the economic and political development of the Yoruba race, and to protect its interest above all odds and equally further the unity of Nigeria.

Comrade Eric Oluwole, Secretary General of the Group stated this in a press release by YMG on Yoruba Economic and Political Development event held recently. It was stated that the current wave of events in Nigeria called for its consciousness as to step into the shoes of advocacy on behalf of the teeming race.

The secretary in the release emphasised on the need to access the economic and political development within the caprice of the Yoruba States, having realized that no economic and political development will be far reached unless there is adequate security, establishment of industry, zero political marginalization.

“Also, youths employment and creation of job opportunities, improvement in the quality of education, zero tolerance to abandonment of government projects, international trades and diaspora relation leading to economic cum political services.

“We stand corrected that the Southwest must produce the next president of Nigeria, as a people we have contributed all and sacrificed all in the interest of Nigeria. Following the fact that the North had it’s fair share of the conventional power rotation, now that it is the turn of the South, the South West deserves it more, now than ever.

“The Yoruba race from time immemorial has continued to show unrelenting strength in ensuring the indivisibility of Nigeria. Having handful men of high repute who can deliver and savage the current situation of this country, it’s imperative that every other region joins hands to ensure this is achievable.

“More importantly, all Yoruba sons and daughters, home and abroad should stand up for this clarion call. Irrespective of political differences, the oneness of the voice of our various political leaders is to seek and demand for a Yoruba son or daughter to lead our country, Nigeria,” he noted.

He stated further that they are calling on all states governments to seek development across their various states. Hence they also called on them to seek for private-public partnership to establish industry in their various states.

“We believe that Yoruba States should not shortchange itself in the annals of development, but must improve in all ramifications of commerce and industry as it is a driving force in a 21st century.

“In furtherance to our mandate, we insist that enough is enough as there will be no political marginalisation anymore in whatever form. YMG will continue to observe critically the situation of events across the country as related to Yoruba race and reject vehemently any form of political oppression or marginalization.

“It is sacrosanct to our quest that youths must be taken off the streets. Therefore, we want to restate to our esteemed leaders, that youth employment and creation of opportunities should be taken more importantly now than ever. The current rate at which our youths are forced into crimes directly and indirectly betrays the principles of ‘OMOLUABI’.

“More so, after critical examination while we condemn the actions of these youths, we must also state that our leaders have been found wanting in this mayhem. Youth employments and creation of jobs opportunities is sacrosanct and must be taken as a priority.

“We affirm in like minds with the eternal words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated’. Therefore, we seek for qualitative education for our people across boards.

“Education must be made affordable and qualitative. We totally disagree with the erroneous perception that, the situation of things have changed, hence the educational legacy left by Awolowo and others can no longer be visibly achievable. It is an heinous crime to hide under the wide spread evil that education is expensive, therefore the people and not the government must be made to bear the brunt.

“As a group, we will begin the assessment of the education, infrastructure, empowerment policy of each South West states henceforth and declare any government wanting, an ‘enemy of the people’. The improvement in the quality of education cannot be overemphasized and underrated by any serious government.

“We have noticed with rude shock the abandonment of one program, policy and projects by successors in government because of party affiliation and personal aggrandizement. Equally, we observed that this action have had adverse and very consequential effect on the masses the government claims to represent.

“We are hence appealing to every leader and governors in all of the states in Nigeria, particularly the South West as reference to turn a new leaf in the interest of its citizens. All government abandon projects becomes moribund hence affecting the locals who were once beneficiary of it.

“For the common interest of our people and our development, there is an urgent need to declare a state of emergency by governors of our states on moribund government structures and properties,”

The secretary stressed that international trades and diaspora relation leading to economic cum political services is now more needed than ever. “We are appealing to the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to consider the adverse effects of its polices as bothering economics and political relations.

“We are happy about the cease in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, particularly on Nigerians. We consider the current closure of Nigerian border as putting the cart before the horse measure economically. While we advocate for domesticated services, the government must show totally commitment to the actualization of this.

“The closure of border is having serious consequence on our economy as prices of commodities and service have skyrocketed. The government needs to provide a palliative measure before embarking on hard choices like this.

“Furthermore, the government can also show sincerity by investing more in science and technology. Equally we advise government officials to consider using home made products too as a way forward.

“The Yoruba Mandate Group is using this medium to extend our regards to all Yoruba sons and daughter as we just celebrated our ‘Independence Day’ that our own Obafemi Awolowo was part of and many other Yoruba leaders.

“Chief Akogun Ojo Banji, Convener/General Coordinator of Yoruba Mandate Group felicitates with all Nigerians and seek that all Nigerians should tow the paths of greatness which our founding fathers laid. May the labours of our heroes past never be in vain.”