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/ THE PRESIDENT
The Next Level
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/ PUBLIC AFFAIRS
What Next.....
/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/
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/ REGIONAL INTEGRATION
EVENTS
Kaa’ro O Ji’re A Publication of Egbe Omo Yoruba
February 2013
From the President’s Office. The Next Level ................. Egbe Omo Yoruba North America, the National Association of Yoruba Descendant in North America, continue to move the train of her destiny forward. My administration is standing on the shoulder of giants that have paddled the ship of our noble Egbe thus far. We have been working hard on keeping Egbe together while remaining vibrant. We have remained committed to the vision of the Egbe in planning and implementing programs that are in line with the vision of the Egbe. My administration has resumed activities to follow up on the relationship that we have built with some of the governments of the Yoruba states present at our 20th National Convention that took place in Baltimore, MD in September, 2012. We are in communication with the States officials on the Regional Integration program and some other Stakeholders in the Yoruba States. At this point, we are working assiduously on the aspect of health and human developments. We are putting logistics together on a summit
Aare Monilola Tenabe,
Aare Gbogbogbo, Egbe Omo Yoruba (National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America.) and Medical/Educational mission aware that there are lots of chalto our Fatherland, this year. We lenges and obstacles to this agenda, will continue to update you on but we know that the journey of a the strategic implementation of the thousand years begins with a single upcoming events. step. This we are boldly taking at this time. Now that we have some degree of Political stability in the Yoruba At this juncture, I welcome ideas land, the next level, in line with and support of all members and the vision of the Egbe will be to their respective chapters to get this establish services and businesses dream accomplished. in all walks of life that will benefit our people. This we are planning A je je owo kan ko `gberu d`ori. to achieve by facilitating private/ O odua a gbe wa o. government partnerships. We are
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Editorial Comment: What next………
for us a people………. The National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America was formed by a group of visionary people many years ago. They came together out of a thirst and cry for a stable and progressive Yoruba land within the context of an artificial creation by a colonial master (Lord Fredrick Lugard), called Nigeria. They had a strong vision of putting all their efforts and energy together for a stable, progressive and prosperous Yoruba land within the country of Nigeria. They were very proud and confident that the natural talents and resources bestowed upon us by “Eledumare” is more than enough for us to always take the forefront of developments and progress in Nigeria. Despite the fact that “ori” and “iji aiye/ise aje” took us far away from our fatherland, these qualities bestowed to us by “Eledumare” continued to abide in us. They believed that all our activities and thoughts should be towards the development of a stronger economic, political and social community in Yoruba land; and also to promote the unity, progress and empowerment of the Yoruba in Nigeria and Diaspora. ‘’Fun ilosiwaju ile wa”. “Eledumare,” has to a great extent, blessed us with a “somehow stable” political atmosphere in Yoruba land in Nigeria. Despite this blessing, are we, as Egbe, in line with the vision of the founding fathers of this Egbe with regards to our activities and programs? Are we still
in touch with the agenda and objectives of the Egbe, or are we here to use the Egbe`s platform for our personal agendas? Which of our recent activity directly affected the progressive life of Yoruba in Nigeria and/or the Diaspora?
Our founding Fathers did not believe that we are the above. The next thing is that we have to live our lifes and existence of this noble Egbe, well above the statement above. “Eledumare “has blessed us far beyond this. So, what next?..........
If I recall correctly, some of the objectives of the Egbe will include but not limited to, fostering empowerment of Yoruba, undertake specific projects beneficial to Yoruba and aimed at enhancing our development, work with other organizations within and outside Nigeria to promote…….. while working actively for the promotion of Yoruba interest, establish presence in Nigeria to facilitate home-based activities,….
Dr. Ayodeji Famuyide (NSPA/ Chairman, Editorial Board)
It is a fact that, a man that is not standing right cannot carry another man. We also know that a house divided against itself can never stand. It is hightime we look inward to evaluate those challenges preventing us from consistently fulfilling these objective, either systemic or structural.
Contact Us:
I hope we are not a people defined by Lord Fredrick Lugard, about a century ago as….“the typical African ... is a happy, thriftless, excitable person, lacking in self-control, discipline and foresight, naturally courageous, and naturally courteous and polite, full of personal vanity, with little sense of veracity ...in brief , the virtues and defects of this race-type are those of attractive children.”
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National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America. Office of the National Secretary of Public Affairs (NSPA) P.O. Box 204, White Marsh, MD. 21162-0204. Phone: (225)620-3975 E-mail: nspa@yorubanation.org Internet: www.yorubanation.org
Editorial Board Members.
Honorable (Dr.) Ayodeji Famuyide (Chairman) Honorable Bukola Oreofe Honorable Oluseyi Ogunyinka Honorable Olawale Oladuntoye Honorable Akingbolahan Afolabi Honorable Dapo Odunlami
Announcements, Chapter Events/Activities. Egbe Omo Yoruba of Delaware Valley (EOYDV). The Egbe Omo Yoruba of Delaware Valley is planning to host several events this year. They include chapter meetings on first Saturday of each month at 5934 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia PA. 19135 by 6.30pm EST; Annual picnic, date and location to be announced and Yoruba school. Date, location and time about Yoruba school will be announced later. Egbe Omo Yoruba Houston, Texas. Egbe Omo Yoruba Houston, Texas will be hosting the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America from Friday 22nd to Sunday, 24th of February, 2013. The chapter is also inviting all members of the National Egbe Omo Yoruba in North America to the 60th birthday celebration of a great chapter member and Ex-President of the National Egbe Omo Yoruba, Dr. Olumuyiwa Mcginnis Otubusin, taking place in Houston, Texas on the 23rd of February, 2013 at Hotel Preet, Houston, Texas. Egbe Omo Yoruba Ti Baltimore. Egbe Omo Yoruba Ti Baltimore ended their 2012 activities with a fun-filled Christmas party in December, 2012. The party was well attended by members of the chapter, including the youths. One of the Chapter members, Ms Korede Oladapo took her Organization to Osun State in Nigeria. Her Organization named HIGH DIMENSIONS is involve in supporting high school students in successfully planning their future by empowering them to achieve a high level of success in their schooling affairs. She is presently working with a few schools in Osun and Ekiti States in Nigeria.
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Egbe Omo Yoruba Vancouver (British Columbia) The Egbe Omo Yoruba Vancouver completed her first full year of the Yoruba School in December, 2012. A new session will commence in March, 2013. The chapter is willing to share their logistics and success stories with chapters that are interested in implementing such program in their respective chapters. Egbe Omo Yoruba, Greater Baton Rouge. Egbe Omo Yoruba, Greater Baton Rouge, had a very busy year in 2012. They rounded up their 2012 activities with an End of year Award and Fundraising gala night held at Radissons Hotel, in Baton Rouge on the 15th of December 2012. Awards were presented to many people in the community that supported the Egbe`s activities. Honorable Ademola Oloko was also recognized for his selfless service towards Egbe`s objectives. One of our daughters, Ms. Rahliat Animashaun was selected by the Louisiana Soccer Association State Referee Committee as the Female Youth Referee of the year, 2012. She was nominated by the Soccer Referee Association of Baton Rouge, and selected based not only on her referee abilities, but also on her academic and community involvements. The chapter also commenced their proposed monthly radio program in December, 2012. The program is aimed at promoting the values of Yoruba Culture in the community. The Egbe commenced her 2013 program with their participation in community cleaning service to commemorate MLK day. The turn-out to this event by members was really impressive. Another community service activity was carried out on Saturday, 9th of February, 2013. This was part of the quarterly “Help the less privileged” campaign embarked upon by the Egbe. The house of a 75 years old African-American lady was renovated and painted. The City of Baton rouge provided the needed material, while the Egbe membership provided the labor. The chapter is trying to teach our children a profound Yoruba Culture, “Aaro”. There was plenty of food to eat after the activities. Egbe Omo Yoruba, Greater Baton Rouge is planning to have their first major community service outside of Baton Rouge city. The Health fair event will take place on 23rd of March, 2013 at Herrod Village Gym, 1400 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Abbeville, LA. 4
EGBE OMO YORUBA
National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America
Congratulates
Olu Otubusin
“A sixtieth birthday's a gift of it's own, A time for recalling the pleasures you've known... It's a time to look back on all that you've done Especially, for the Yoruba Nation, And reflect that this life is a wonderful one! Happy Birthday"
Aare Moni Tenabe
Regional Integration in the Yoruba States The Journey So Far by Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Presented at the 20th National Convention of Egbe Omo Yoruba, USA and Canada, held in Baltimore, MD Since the ACN took full control of most parts of the South West, we have been faced with the challenge of building individual states in the South West and at the same time recognizing the sanctity of the Yoruba nation as one indivisible entity, with common history, shared dreams, aspirations and common destiny. Yoruba nation is a creation of God, while the states were the creation of men. And in all matters, temporal and spiritual, God’s takes preference over the creation of man. Each state in the South West has its own peculiar strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. We are convinced that the best way to ensure development in the South West is not to allow ourselves to be enslaved by artificial boundaries but rathDr. Kayode Fayemi er to build a future founded on Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria our history and our shared aspirations as one people. One prac- development plans already pre- traditional tourism corridors, tical step we took was to adopt pared by the component states while others are not. For some of the philosophy of Regional within the region.” the Yoruba states, the influence Integration. derives from skilled manpower, I read the following from the for others it is industry. I wish to take snippets from the document “there are Yoruba framework of this noble idea as states endowed with sea ports, We can become a strong and conceived. The ‘main objective others are not, some are sanc- virile people, if we harness these of the Master Plan is to acceler- tified with evergreen, tropical potentials, if we think together ate the growth of the Western and lurch green vast land, oth- and act together for the common Region in a viable, equitable and ers are not, some are blessed good of our people.” sustainable manner. The Master with hills and mountains, giv- So, the idea of regional integraPlan will complement existing ing credence to the immense tion was fashioned to strengthen 6
the unbreakable umbilical cord that binds the Yoruba together in matter and in form. The inaugural meeting of the South West governors took place in AdoEkiti and was attended by the authorities in the South West states. Some of the Governors came personally, like the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, while others sent their representatives. At that meeting, far reaching decisions were taken and without any reservation, we agreed to work together as one people. There have been issues raised on the fact that the political parties in the South West are not one, and that this might be a stumbling block. We recognize the fact that there are political tendencies in Yorubaland, however, this should not be antithetical to regional integration just as the various political tendencies in Western Europe do not impede the idea behind the formation of the European Union, (EU). I hereby quote from the working document of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, (DAWN). ‘Irrespective of the different party ideology exhibited by Ondo State, the development opens a new opportunity for deriving the benefits of economies of scale in the development process of this region. What are we going to make of this new opportunity? The answer is to go back to what worked in the past... in the present context.” The document added “the purpose of the new initiative is
to foster regional integration as a catalyst for decentralization. There are several dimensions where one can identify the influence of the integration process in the evolution of the decentralization model. The European regional development policy for example makes provision for financing for the poorest regions in the EU. These also provides incentives to become a more competitive and efficient economy, and to require more policy and budgetary discipline.” Below are some of the areas of proposed integration of the South West states: Common Resources and Possibilities for Joint Ownership 1. Transport: i. Fast Rail ii. Water iii. Highways 2. Education: i. University of Technology ii. University of Education iii. University of Agriculture 3. Energy Research Projects i. Small Hydro ii. Solar iii. Wind iv. Transmission Stations 4. Tourism: i. Security (eSurveillance) ii. Emergency Management (Contact Centre) 5. Information & Communication Technology (ICT) and 7
eGovernment: i. Interoperability Framework ii. eGovernment iii. eGovernance iv. GIS – a. Tourism Development Decision Support b. Water Systems c. Transport d. Emergency Management e. Land & Urban Development f. Agriculture & Forestry g. Mineral Resources h. Power Systems i. Education & Health j. Demographics k. Environment We have been moving forward in this direction. It is noteworthy that after the historic meeting at Ado-Ekiti which I hosted, there have been various practical steps taken by the state governments to promote regional integration. In reality, we are working towards ensuring that the regional integration agenda is people-driven. Some of the steps taken include the setting up of the Technical Committee (TC) for the implementation of the roadmap to economic recovery of the South West states. The Technical Committee has on its team three representatives from each of the South West state. The TC has now been expanded to include experts drawn from various fields without consideration for the political affiliation of members. The team has See Page 8
From Page 7
going with strategic social and political forces in Yorubaland on been having series of sleepless the Regional Integration theme. nights debating and providing solutions in the areas of agri- We recognize the fact that the culture, science, economics, art, South West people have passed philosophy, security, infrastruc- through various difficulties and ture, housing and every other this in itself has brought a feelarea crucial to the overall devel- ing of inertia since a blithe heart opment of the people of the is likely to think more of gloom. South West. The resolutions will However, gradually, we have be considered and implemented been reinstalling people’s hope by the South West governors. The Regional Integration also has various sectors one of which is the Diaspora, based on the recognition of the crucial role men and women sitting in this hall will play in the transformation of our motherland. We are making efforts to ensure the integration agenda becomes the document of the people, the people must own the processes and the practical implementation aspect which informs the various meetings currently on-
in democratic institutions, building a fresh partnership with the people and bringing a new reality where myths and fiction once lay siege. We are convinced that the people of the South West have confidence in us having elected us as their leaders. We are also committed to sustaining this trust through the overall transformation of the entire South West by making the territory a place for everyone to live a decent and prosperous life. On Regional Integration, this is a summary of our story. I thank you all for your time and once again, I deeply appreciated the opportunity given to me to speak to a great and inspiring audience of this nature. Thank you. Oodua A gbe wa o. Ase  Egbe Omo Yoruba Office of the National Secretary of Public Affairs (NSPA) P.O. Box 204, White Marsh, MD. 21162-0204.
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Ms. Korede Oladapo (left) of Egbe Omo Yoruba ti Baltimore being interviewed by Nigerian Television Authority reporter during the event organized by High Dimensions (see page 3).