By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, has appraised the state of the nation, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take action on some critical sectors immediately.
The organisation, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, on Tuesday, January 28, said the meeting of the body’s elders issued a communique in which they demanded that government takes actions on nagging issues of insecurity, economy, and the oil sector, among others.
The meeting held in the Akure, Ondo State home of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti.
The statement said: “The meeting deliberated on issues affecting the organization, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. Among the issues discussed were the state of the nation with particular reference to education, agriculture, socio-economic and security situations in the country.
“Afenifere also reiterated its position on restructuring as imperative at this juncture as a means of achieving a better lease of life for the people.
“The meeting heard reports of some kidnapping incidents and herders/farmers’ clashes, particularly in Yorubaland.
“It took note of the efforts being made by the Federal Government to revamp the economy. In view of the pivotal roles that energy plays not only in an economy, but also in the well-being of the people, the meeting deliberated on efforts being made in this respect with particular reference to electricity and fossil energy – petroleum products in particular.
“The meeting took note of the desire by the Federal Government for local governments to have fiscal autonomy as exemplified by the Supreme Court ruling on the issue as well as other steps being taken by the Federal Government.”
Afenifere enjoined the government to expedite action in this regard so that the policy will become operational as soon as possible.
“The meeting also implored local governments in the country to ensure that their people derive maximum benefits from the resources coming to them both from the federal allocation as well as from those they generate internally.
“Finally, the meeting took note of the shortage in the availability – as well as high costs – of food items,” Ajayi said.
He said in view of the present insecurity, the group advocated the overhauling of the nation’s security architecture.
“This is with a view at ensuring that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way. Such reworking should include accelerating actions on the decision of the government to have state police.
“There is also the urgent need to include modern technology more comprehensively in the efforts at combating banditry and terrorism. Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.
“Afenifere also advocated for the licensing of states’ security networks, code-named Amotekun in Yoruba-speaking states, to carry lethal weapons. This can be done preparatory to the setting up of state police.
“Afenifere also called for greater cooperation between Amotekun corps and other security agencies.
“Afenifere is very persistent on the need to ensure that Yoruba language is used more as a medium of communication. The body specifically called on governments in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the medium of teaching at elementary levels of our education: kindergarten/nursery, primary and junior secondary schools.
“Afenifere also urged legislatures in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the language of conducting their legislative businesses as much as possible.
“In view of the strategic position that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Plc and independent oil marketers occupy in the oil sector, Afenifere strongly called on them to let the interest of the nation, nay the interest of the people of Nigeria, be uppermost in their minds and actions.
“In view of the high costs of food items in the country, Afenifere urged states and local governments to make things easy for local farmers by providing them with needed resources – even at subsidized rates.
“Afenifere called on President Bola Tinubu to leverage on his known democratic credential as a federalist by quickening the country’s realization of true federalism as soon as possible,” the group said.