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South West leaders not ready for Yoruba nation -Prof Olagoke

David Adenekan
David Adenekan
South West leaders not ready for Yoruba nation -Prof Olagoke
Prof. Olagoke

An Islamic cleric, Prof. Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, has charged Yoruba nation agitators to forget the idea for now until the people of the region learn to remain united and speak with one voice.

He also said the body language of  Yoruba leaders was a clear indication that they were not yet prepared for self-determination .

Olagoke, a renowned Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Public Administration, called on  all those behind the agitation for Yoruba nation to go and study the agenda of Brexit and how Britain was able to come out of the union successfully after many years.

The Islamic cleric, who is a former Dean, School of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, made the remarks while addressing journalists in Ibadan, during a monthly guest forum organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State council.

While describing the myriads of problems facing Nigeria as unfortunate, he attributed the rise in ethnic agitation to the absence of justice and equity in the country.

He said there must be justice and equity to get sustainable development which he described as the ultimate goal of true democracy.

His words: “Yoruba are highly divided. Look at the people agitating, look at their antecedents. Some Yoruba leaders were some of those behind the advisors of government against their own people.

“Even your governor here disowned Igboho who is agitating for Yoruba nation. Look at Chief M.K.O. Abiola before he was killed through the conspiracy theory, Babangida ensured that Yoruba people were used against him. They rose against him (Abiola). So, the Yoruba people are not prepared for self determination yet.”

Olagoke who lamented the rate of insecurity in the land, said most of the uneducated youths had become armed bandits, kidnappers and killer herdsmen because of institutionalized hunger and poverty.

While accusing the political class of complacency,and lack of vision, Olagoke , who made reference to the legacies  of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo , declared that Nigeria was not yet democratized .

He bemoaned efforts of the political class to destroy education over the years and wondered why Nigeria government had failed to fund the education sector .

According to him, “Education in Nigeria is not functional. You can’t give what you don’t have. UNESCO says you must allocate 22 per cent to fund education. But the profile data we have in the last 15 years is 5 per cent, 7 per cent and 10 per cent maximum. However in Ghana , the data showed that about 32 per cent were allocated to education and that has been so for the past 15 years .

“That explains why many Nigerians are moving their children to Ghana for quality education.”

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