Good Afternoon Sir, Our Chief Host, Chief Wasiu AyindeMarshal, the Maiyegun Odua & Olori Omoba Akile of Ijebu Land, Members of the Forth realm – The much appreciated members of the Nigerian Press, Members of the Planning Committee led by our own Chief (Mrs)Ronke Kolade Carew, and my other Fellow South West Support Group Leaders.  All Protocols, observed.

I say Good day to all patriotic descendants of Oduduwathe founder of the Yoruba Race from towns and cities all over Nigeria to this very crucial Summit. We must be proud of our Race that is one of the foremost, here in Nigeria, Togo, Benin and even in the USA and Brazil.

We must also be proud of our strength not only intellectually but demographically which makes it impossible for any President to get to the exalted Seatwithout our support. May our forefathers continue to bless and prosper us all as we sacrifice our comfort to be at this conference today.

This Summit was arranged for the following reasons:

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

YORUBA’S UNITY

The need for Unity of the Yoruba Tribe both here in Nigeria and Diaspora need not be over-emphasised.  A house divided against itself would surely not stand. Truly, this is the most important time for the Race to be strong and United since our Son is in Power.  A divided house would duplicate our efforts which may end up not being productive to all.

The late sage Chief Hubert Ogunde in one of his legendary song titled ‘Yoruba Ronu’ is apt to our current situation.

To use the February 2023 election as an example, we can see how some of our Sons and Daughters campaigned and supported candidates from other tribe. Surprisingly too, we can see how the Ndi–Igbos defeated us in Lagos State – The Pride of the Yoruba Race.  Foreigners came out boldly to say our Lagos is a No-Man’s Land.  What an infradig? We must be ready to think deeply and let us channel the right path for our own interest as ‘OMO KAARO OOJIRE’. Those supposed to be preaching Gospel of Unity are in the forefront of creating confusion and disharmony amongst the Race with their unguarded and venomous unpatriotic vituperations. .  This is wrong.  This cannot be condoned.  We, therefore, bountifully seek and demand the Unity of all of us having some distrust, misunderstanding amongst ourselves if not for any other reason but for our Son who represents our Race at the top echelon of governance.  Our true and unambiguous Yoruba Son, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu  is there for the first time.  It behoves us to ensure his success.

CONTINUED UNFLINCHING SUPPORT TO THE PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU AND HIS GOVERNMENT.

In addition, as our son President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in power today, we must all ensure we give him the utmostsupport to succeed. Let’s all go out and preach this message to all our Children, Brothers and Sisters who have been deceived by the opposition through their lies and deceit. It is only Tinubu that has the brain and the tactics to make Nigeria our beautiful nation to be great again. And all of us must join him in this onerous task of nation building.

We Yorubas of the South West Zone have no alternative than to so do.  You will recall the outstanding unflinching support always given by other Tribes when their own gets to the position.  The support is always total irrespective of their productivity.  President Tinubu has the blue Print and dreams of our revered Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed Memory to build a self-sustaining egalitarian Society.  He did it in Lagos and nothing shall stop him from replicating it nationally.  All he needs are our support from his home base.

This meeting is a call for us to come together as one to protect the Yoruba race. We must also ensure that we carry along all our elected officials such as the Governors, Senators, House of Representatives members and all other key stakeholders in government who are of Yoruba origin.

COMPENSATION AND RECOGNITION OF ALL PARTY-REGISTERED SUPPORT GROUPS THAT INPUTTED THEIR BEST ON THE TINUBU PROJECT.

Yes, it is saddening to us all that up till now; nothing has been done to compensate all the Support Groups not only in the South West but the entire Nation.  The performance of Support Groups before, during and after the Election was outstanding to the success of not only our President but all Members of the National Assembly including our various State Governors.  We mobilised.  We canvassed.  We participated in all the Campaign Trains without a Single Kobo coming from any of the office holder.  We believed that it is the end that justifies the means.  That we shall be compensated by the Party and our various Political Office Holders across board.  Alas! Six months down the Line, no single recognition has been forwarded to any South West

Some of our Members were physically attacked in Lagos, Oyo and other States. Some are maimed  Some got their properties destroyed. Yet no single acknowledgement of work done has been received by any Support Group.

In view of the South West Support Groups awkward financial predicament, we are appealing to  ourindefatigable President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and all other Political Office Holders including our Governors to seek ways of redressing this unintended injustice and unfair treatment of South West Zone Support Groups who gave there all in the lastElection.

We earnestly and respectfully request, His Excellency to consider:

CONCLUSION

We use this opportunity to thank our Chief Host, Chief King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, the Maiyegun Odua & OloriOmoba Akile of Ijebu Land for having giving us time out of his busy schedule to attend this Symposium. We thank Members of the Press and all members of the Various South West Based Support Groups that found their ways to Ijebu in spite of the extreme financial constraint.

Finally, this is one of Six Summits arranged for the South West Zone. We shall notify the Press and members of the Support Groups which State comes next of which we expect all Leaders within the State and beyond to turn out in large numbers to grace the occasion.

Thank you and God Bless.

Amb. (Dr) Adewale Adeogun

                                                                      Convener