By Abiodun Pabiekun Olufowobi
While I may be bereft of the intellectual capacity and sagacity to effectively respond to the several scholarly and political papers presented at the Yoruba summit held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Thursday, September 7, 2017, I however see and will grab the opportunity to express my opinion thereon since the Speakers have put their thoughts in the public space.
I thank God for the lives of these old men who have been very useful to Nigeria in different capacities in their prime and counting. I also sympathize with the old order of Awoism represented by most of the participants. I offer my sympathy because we have been told that old age and vicissitudes of life are Siamese twins. I can only imagine what goes on in the minds of these gentlemen with what they have seen Nigeria become.
The Yoruba summit had deliberated and summated that more powers must devolved to the states – that the Exclusive list must be depopulated in favour of the States, that there must be a restructured Nigeria with emphasis on return to forms of government as practiced under the 1960 and 1963 Constitutions. That Nigeria be returned to the Federal Constitution that was abrogated by military incursion in 1966 etc. in order to reenact the gains of the hitherto very strong Regional government that unleashed more development on the people as evident in “mass literacy, novel infrastructural strides and giant leaps in all spheres of human development”.
Well said and agreeable.
However, I was shocked this assembly of great men failed to see and comment on the huge billboard over the venue of the august assemblage.
The Billboard reads: “This house is not for sale – beware of 419, Tafa my son and Diezani my daughter – Landlord”.
In essence, the whole talk of these esteemed Elders was about Nigeria and her future as a country. So the Elders of the family have gathered in the family meeting room oblivious of the raging threat of some younger family members such as Tafa and Diezani who are hell bent on dissipating the family house and heirloom. If these prodigal children succeeded in selling the heirloom as threatened, of what moment will be the decisions of the Elders when the Res is lost?
I believe the Yoruba summit has not done sufficient justice to the present and clear dangers of the rampaging corruption scourge against Nigeria.
Please do not assail my sensibilities that Restructuring will take care of corruption. I resent that proposition for 2 main reasons: firstly, the whole concept of regional autonomy of the Awo school did not factor the level of corruption cesspit Nigerian has become (the examples of Cecilia Ibru and Diezani suffices). Secondly, the world has moved on from the 1960 state – 1960 was 57 years ago. Tell me any progressive nation that is looking back to 20 years ago let alone 57 odd years ago.
Respectfully therefore, I submit on the count, with due respect to the Yoruba elders, one of their own sayings that aja iwoyi ni won fin nle eworo iwoyi.
For me, rather than asking Nigeria to move to a point attained so many years ago, I think we should consider the clear and present challenges we have today in Nigeria and seek ways of tackling them.
For instance, in 1960, no Minister of the AG Government will publicly denounce the party and say she will vote for the NCNC candidate at the next election – that option was just not available under the Spartan political party discipline of that era.
Further, with due respect, which of our political leaders of yore will believe that one individual can steal public funds akin to the budget of a State or a past Governor will be charged to court for corruptly enriching himself to the tune of acquiring 48 houses (Yes 48 houses) during his tenure as Governor and the Court will simply as much as welcome the gentleman to the Nigerian Elite club and released the houses back to him based on some unconscionable technicality of the law to enjoy the “fruits of his labour” – Yes, a governor who acquired 48 houses during his tenure as Governor was discharged by a Nigerian court of corruption charges!
Thus, while I agree to an extent with the call for restructuring but not necessarily to reset the Idumota clock back to 1960 – don’t even try to compare a 1960 clock to those of today in efficiency.
I feel the Yoruba summit could have done more for Nigeria nay the Yoruba nation within Nigeria by addressing the clear and present danger posed by the prodigal members of the family who were bent on fraudulently selling the family house.
My humble contention remains that if these bastards succeeded in unlawful alienation of the family house, it will not matter whatever amicable partition arrangement the Elders of the family agreed upon for the res would have been lost and the king will be without a kingdom.
My humble perspective.
Mo juba agba o.
Abiodun Pabiekun Olufowobi, Lawyer/Public Affairs Commentator.