When eight young Yoruba patriots joined together in March 2021 to form a programme of unity across the Yoruba self-determination organisations, little thought was given to what would become an organised movement. Their aim was to bring all the Yoruba elders together, both those at home and in the diaspora, to a single platform where they could discuss and compare the activities of their individual organisations.
This initial meeting of minds grew into the Yoruba Self-determination Movement (YSM), an organisation in its own right, that is able to spearhead and co-ordinate the Yoruba struggle, providing focused, purposeful leadership for all, working towards the emancipation of Yoruba nation from Nigeria .
The YSM then went on to create for itself a council, the YSC (Yoruba Self-determination Council), which was formed by the coming together of two representatives from every organisation striving for Yoruba independence willing to co-ordinate under the YSM umbrella. The YSC is a parliamentary assembly of all self-determination organisations. It has been less than five months since the YSC was inaugurated, yet it has already proven to be a force to be reckoned with among the Yoruba people. Our people had previously lost the opportunity to debate issues affecting their everyday lives following the military deposition of Nigeria’s regional government in January 1966. YSC’s fortnightly proceedings provide a forum where the Yoruba leaders can discuss such issues, helping to hone their skills of parliamentary debate, in preparation for the emergence of their own independent nation.
As fate would have it, the Yoruba Self-determination Movement (YSM) and the Yoruba people are now blessed with not only one but two Banji’s who are determined to fight with everything they have for the total liberation of the Yoruba people from perpetual slavery. Both Prof. Banji Akintoye and Sir Banji Ayiloge, Chairman and Vice Chairman of YSM respectively, are putting structures in place for the enhancement of the self-determination struggle.
The Chairman; Professor Banji Akintoye, and the vice-chairman; Mr. Banji Ayiloge, known as “the two Banji’s” and their team are determined to build a purposeful leadership that the Yoruba and indeed the international communities can relate with.
It seems that, for once, there is a renewed light at the end of the tunnel for the Yoruba people, who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of all these efforts to unify the liberation endeavours.
With the support of their team, they have been able to build a system that ensures the organisation fully utilises the skills and vast knowledge of Yoruba people across the globe. Both Banji’s have demonstrated purposeful leadership, working through issues to reach a logical conclusion, with the attitude of leaving no stone unturned. They are determined to link square pegs with square holes, to ensure the right person is always given the task commensurate with their skills. Where there are skills and knowledge gaps among the Council and committee members, resource personnel from within and outside the organisation are being utilised to provide training and therefore enhance the overall running of YSM affairs.
The two Banji’s are now taking this opportunity to call on other Yoruba groups and organisations that are yet to join YSM, urging them to send their two representatives to the YSM Council. The aim of this is to ensure that no Yoruba group or organisation is left behind in this noble cause, striving to liberate our people from the shambles that Nigeria has become.
In the ongoing vetting and allocation of personnel into the various committees and executive positions, several groups and organisation are being requested to send nominations from their member organisations to fill these positions. This seeks to ensure that talented Yoruba people spread throughout several cities and countries are able to pool their resources to complete the task ahead.
There have been multiple requests for a single collective bank account where all Yoruba people across the world can contribute their own token. The two Banji’s have asked for patience for a little longer, to ensure that due diligence is completed so that the account will be able to withstand the integrity test. Once this is completed, the Yoruba people can be confident that every penny that has been set aside for the task ahead is spent judiciously and with transparency and proper accountability.
With the energies, effort, and dedication invested into the cause by the two Banji’s, it is only proper that the Yoruba people across the world join with them. As they provide a beacon of hope to our people, let us rally around them in support and renewed vigour for the liberation struggle. May they be encouraged that they are not striving alone, but with the full force of every Yoruba person behind and alongside them.
-Kayode Emola
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