By Kehinde Philip
The 2019
annual lecture and award ceremony of Yoruba Community In Rivers state which was
held on Saturday, 30th of November, 2019 at Cubana lounge and event center,
plot F6c Sanni Abacha Road GRA Phase 3 Port Harcourt rivers state capital
South-South Nigeria must have come and
gone but the echoes of the Keynote lecture as delivered by Professor AbdulRazak
Kilani who was represented by Dr. Martins Adekanbi is generating reactions
globally.
In his lecture titled “Extending Interdependence, a cohesive Yoruba culture for National Unity” drew applause severally as he reviewed the inter-relationship between various ethnic groups and the factors that necessitated their intra and inter dependence migrating tendencies in the past which is currently replaying itself with the socio-economic migration of people of Yoruba ethnic group. He espoused the fact that the Yoruba took advantage of acquiring early western education which has helped in advancing their developmental capabilities ahead of other ethnic groups in Nigeria.
He spoke
eloquently about the trend in Yoruba land then and now, and how parents
corrected their wards, and children as this instilled fear of their parents in
their upbringing. But, now he said that the reverse is the case, as recent
developments of social miscreants and urchins have led them to embrace ‘get
rich quick syndrome’ popularly addressed as “Yahoo-Yahoo boys” as he said “we now have Yahoo plus ritual killings,
youths stealing pants and underwear belonging to the female folks”. The erudite
Professor advised that as a people we should try to correct this, and curb all
these in order to go back to our former way of life of a Yoruba of culture,
respect and dignity.
The award ceremony
session had Barr. R.S Adegoke, Comptroller of Immigration Rivers State honoured
as Omoluabi, others who received the
award include Chief
(Sir) & Lady Matthew A. Olubobokun, as Oluranlowo, Prof. Abdulrazak Kilani,
as Asape Ire, Alhaji Mustapha Taiwo, as Alaranse, Pastor Toyin Alabi, as
Atinilehin, Rev. Dr. Martins Adekanbi, SIPM, MNIP, J.P, as Iranse Ododo 1, Bunmi
Toki Durojaiye, as Iranse Ododo 2.
The Chairman of the Yoruba Community Council in Rivers state, Chief (Dr.) Bright Adekunle Alabi, in his speech expressed appreciation to all the dignitaries that honoured the invitation and all the members at large, he also used the occasion to wish the members well in all their endeavours. He encouraged them to keep up the love and unity among the members and in the bond of peace for the development of Nigeria.
READ ALSO: ”WHY THE YORUBA ETHNIC GROUP IS AHEAD OF OTHERS IN NIGERIA”—PROF. ABDULRAZAK KILANI
The Chairman
of the occasion, Chief Kola Babalola, SAN gave a note of address on the
background of Yoruba Community Council in Port Harcourt, and how it all
started. He called on the Comptroller of Immigration a true son of Yoruba land
to have a look out for Yoruba Community Council upon his transfer to Rivers
State.