…expresses worry over delay in appointment of new Obas in South-West
Segun Babatunde, Bauchi
The Council of Yoruba Obas in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has urged their colleagues in the Northern States to always promote peaceful coexistence, unity and harmonious relationship between the members and the host communities.
This is as they bemoaned the delays usually experienced in the selection and appointment of Obas in Yoruba land after the demise of a reigning Oba.
Chairman of the Council, Oba Hassan Yusuf spoke in an interview with journalists in Bauchi during the 2023 annual meeting of the Council held on Saturday at Fatima Pastoral/Social Centre, Bauchi.
He said the Yorubas have a rich and robust culture and tradition of peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship with one another and with other tribes, irrespective of ethno-religious, political and socio-cultural differences.
According to him, topmost among the Issues delibatrated upon, included, peace building with other ethnics, Government of the day, and building lasting relationship to enhance peaceful coexistence.
“The Yorubas in the Northern States will continue to promote unity, tolerance, peaceful co-existence, harmonious relationship and love among ourselves as well as with our host communities”.
Oba Hassan Yusuf said that the meeting was expected to come up with strong strategies that will build more relationships between the Yoruba with government at the Federal, states of their various communities as well unite Yaruba Community more in the 19 Northern state with their host communities.
He also expressed the council’s worries over delays in selecting, accepting and appointment of Obas in Yoruba land after the demise of an Oba
The Council chairman described the development as very unfortunate as it has slowed down development in most of the affected communities over the years stressing that something needs to be done to change the narrative.
According to him, “The trend is rather unfortunate, the delay in appointment of a new Oba in Yoruba land is taking a very long time, even years unlike here in the North, few days or at most one week after the demise of a traditional ruler, another one is appointed and installed.”
The Oba Yoruba of Maiduguri in Borno state, appealed to the people concerned to hasten the process in order to ensure traditional leadership is institutionalised in the entire South West subregion.
Speaking further, he, on behalf of the other members of the Council, warned Yoruba people resident in the 19 Northern States, not to in any way, struggle for leadership positions but respect their host communities.
He explained that the Yoruba leaders from across the 19 Northern states converged in Bauchi to deliberate on issues of regional and national development.
He therefore, drew the attention of government on the current hardship being experienced by Nigerians stressing that things are not easy though he declined further comment stressing that, “It is too early to assess the present Federal government”.
Also speaking, the Oba of Yoruba Community in Bauchi State, Alhaji Tirimisiyu Tijjani Adegoke said the meeting was to strengthen relationship among the people and the leaders of Yoruba in the north, to spread the message of love, peace and unity.
Oba Adegoke who commended the Bauchi state Governor, Senator Bala Abdukadir Mohammed for his development strides in all sectors of the state economy, particularly eulogised him for promoting love, peace and unity among the people of the state irrespective of their ethno – religious and political differences.
