Ooni, Alaafin of Oyo, Yoruba Elders Kick Against Proposed Ruga Settlement

Olusakin Babalola, Ibadan

Yoruba Monarchs and prominent leaders in the Southwest region on Thursday have unanimously kicked against the proposed Ruga settlement for cattle breeding in the region.

According to them, it was a subtle way to colonise the Southwest zone as it would amount to extending an open invitation to ‘strangers’ to invade and enslave them in their land.

This stance was expressed at the presentation of a Book in Ibadan titled “Awo”, a biography of Chief Obafemi Awolowo translated into Yoruba language by the publisher of Alaroye Newspaper, Chief Alao Adedayo.

A renowned historian, Professor Akintoye commended Chief Adedayo for the bold initiative which brought eminent elders in the region together to chart a path for the Yoruba race.

He pointed out that those plotting to destroy the Yoruba land were day dreaming.

“If some people are plotting to destroy our land, to maim or kill our people on our own land using different strategies, we have the power to expunge them from our land” Akintoye said.

A Chieftain of Afenifere Socio-cultural group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo declared that under no condition should People in the Southwest allow cattle colony anywhere in the region.

He stressed further that any governor in the region who signed any document to that effect should be identified as enemies of the Yoruba race.

The Yoruba elder alleged that besides Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, other Southwest governors are not sincere in their professed commitment to the protection of lives and property of the people of the region from criminals masquerading as herdsmen.

Adebanjo said it is wicked to claim to be cattle breeders and resort to kidnapping of innocent people on their land and raping women and vandalizing their farm produce.

On his part, Secretary General of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin posited that any governor seen supporting the establishment of cattle colony in the Southwest should be tagged as enemy of the people and should be rewarded accordingly at the appropriate time.

Aare Ona-Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Otunba Gani Adams however warned that no governor in Yoruba land should grant land to the Fulani for cattle colony.

The Yoruba generalissimo added that the havoc wrecked on the people have made them to be different from the old Fulani who were living symbiotically with their hosts.

The monarchs present at the event include, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, representative of the Ooni of Ife, Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, Chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Prof Banji Akintoye, the guest Speaker, Ambassador Tokunbo   Awolowo Dosumu, Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty, Otunba Gani Adams, Aare Ona  kakanfon of Yoruba land among others.