University of Ibadan

GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN

Friday September 23 2016, eminent Yorubas gathered at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, UI, for the Centenary Celebration of the treaty signed on September 23 1886 to end the longest civil war among the Yoruba nationality, Kiriji War. The treaty was aimed at fostering unity and peace among all Yoruba.

Among the dignitaries at the event put together by the Yoruba Academy and the Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, were: Governor Abiola Ajimobi Oyo State represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Olalekan Ali and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State represented by his deputy, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga (who led the state delegates including the state legislators, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa of the Lagos State House of Assembly) former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Prof. Wale Omole. Others were : Prof. Dawud Noibi, Dr. Kunle Olajide, traditional rulers, Chief Segun Odegbami, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, Mr. Tunde Kelani, , and the Director General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN, Commission, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa.

At the occasion, the Yoruba leaders listed the ways the nationality could use the lessons of the Kiriji war to better their lot in the next century, highlighting the steps to be taken by the younger generation of Yoruba to become active players in the globalized world in the new century starting now.

Kiriji treaty

Painting the picture of the rich history of the Yoruba, how the nationality stands at present and how it can become a major player in the globalized world in the future were famous historians: professors Banji Akintoye, Olutayo Adesina and Ms Bamidele Olateju.

While Akintoye narrated the richness of the history of the Yoruba, Adesina painted the picture of the current stand of the Yorubas while Olateju examined how the Yoruba reposition itself to be rightfully placed within and outside Nigeria.

They all acknowledged the necessity for the Yorubas to build a knowledgeable new generation that could use innovation to become a key player in the globalized world.

According to the trio, the lessons of Kiriji included the need to work together as a single nationality with the same focus, rejecting any idea that could divide the people politically and drive development through innovation that is only possible by sound education.

The historians emphasized the need to bring innovation to some products that stand Yoruba out such as food, clothing and local technology stressing that these products could be exported in other not only to promote the Yoruba culture but to register the tribe at the international consciousness.

Akintoye lamented that the Yorubas with lot of warriors failed to use their military strength to resist their white colonizers stressing that resistance of colonization would have made the region to have developed better than what it is now.

Speaing earlier, ARG Chairman, Hon. Olawale Oshun, said the event was to celebrate the end of Kiriji war and examining ways to enhance unity among the Yoruba leaders.