The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) yesterday called for an all-encompassing summit of the Yoruba people, where a collective position of the region could be taken.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Group made the call in Lagos at its 13th annual national congress.
The theme of the Congress was: “Charting the Course of the Yoruba Nation in the Nigerian Federation for the Next Century’’, held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
The YCE President, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd), said that a Yoruba position document, which would allow the region to speak with one voice, would be presented to the dialogue.
“The Yoruba people have been relegated and marginalised and that there is need for an affirmative action,” he said.
Adebayo said that the YCE was committed to the rediscovery of the Yoruba nation and would work to reverse the dwindling fortunes of the group.
He also said that the YCE supported the proposed national dialogue, which he said, offers the opportunity to “reshape, revitalise and re-invigorate Nigeria’’.
The YCE President, however, insisted that the Yoruba nation needed a united front.
The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by Prof. Bayo Williams, commended the elders for their relentless effort at making the Yoruba nation better.
Fashola, however, pledged the support of his government to the group. (NAN)
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