President Bola Tinubu and his wife Senator Oluremi, are expected to attend the guests of honour while Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will deliver a lecture at the 2024 Yoruba National Day celebration, slated to be held later in 2024.
The ceremony will take place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, which will also celebrate the 85th birthday of veteran actor Chief Lere Paimo, known as Eda Onileola, is organized by the Grand Council of Yoruba Youths. The lecture, titled, ‘National Unity and Agitation for Self-Determination: The way forward for Nigeria?’ will be delivered by Sanwo-Olu.
The Chairman of the event is Arc Bamidele Samson, Chairman of the BOVAS Group, with Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede popularly known asJMK, as the vice chairman.
Special Guests of Honour include President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, with South West governors as Guests of Honour.
Awards, including the Ori Olokun Odu’a Award, will be presented to prominent individuals such as Prof Kayode Adebowale, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan; Alhaji Muideen Bello, a renowned Islamic cleric; Oba Adebayo Akande, Chairman of Splash FM and Lagelu FM; Arc Bamidele Samson, Chairman of the BOVAS Group; and Dr M.O Mustapha, JP (Babasebioba), among others.
“We had concluded formal consultations before the news of approval of the Lagos State House of Assembly to celebrate Yoruba week in the state. It is now time we work together towards the progress of Yoruba land and ensure success of not only a day, but a week celebration of Yorubas home and abroad.
“Ayo Olopon (traditional draft), Ijala (hunter’s song), Ekun Iyawo (bridal cry), Ariyanjiyan (quiz competition) and cultural display, are key ingredients of our week-long celebration. Traditional delicacies are always showcased and we are now making case for their inclusion as well as making sure that Eda Onileola @85 is collectively celebrated as discussed.
“It’s a big relief that at least Lagos State out of the Six Yoruba Speaking Southwest States has now formally recognised the year 2000 adoption of Yoruba National day by Yoruba Congress held at Cultural Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, under the Leadership of Senator Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya as proposed by Chief Pop – Olorogun Adebanjo of Comrade Baba Omojola led Apapo Omo Odu’a.
The failure of the Southwest Governors to officially recognize the Yoruba National Day after its adoption prompted Ambassador Olu Otunla and Comrade Baba Omojola to approach the user as the Yoruba Youth Leader in 2011 to champion the annual celebration, keeping the flag flying in the name of Yoruba Congress.
This effort led to the establishment of the Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, which has been organizing the celebration since then.
The group congratulates Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; House Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Afenifere, Ambassador Olu Otunla, Apapo Omo Odu’a, Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, and all Yoruba sons and daughters home and abroad for not allowing the labor of their heroes past to be in vain concerning the Yoruba National Day celebration.
