March 28, 2024

 

South West Agenda should be about development of the zone in education and culture as exemplified by late Premier of Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, University don and the Executive Director of the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding, Professor Siyan Oyeweso has advised governments of South Western States.

Oyeweso, stated this on Friday when during a press briefing in Osogbo, Osun State capital as part of activities marking his 60th birthday.

He said the South West Agenda should be an agenda for the governments in the zone aiming at making the zone economic viable.

Oyeweso said, “South Western states should define their agenda first. Promotion of Yoruba culture, empowerment of women, creation of employment for youths and educational advancement should be prioritized above any other political gains.

“Let all Yoruba-speaking states go and solve their educational crisis. Let them adequately fund their basic education and prioritize people’s welfare. That’s the first agenda.

“Virtually all states in the south west have regional integration. Let’s their be cultural integration too. I have advocated it at several fora, let our governments make Adire part of school uniforms. This alone will provide jobs for our women, youths and also boost economy of the states. How can an American artist be using our attires for bra, panties and others and we the owners do no value it? This must be looked into. The agenda should not be about selfish political gains.

Siyan Oyeweso

“Rural roads is very critical to food security and agriculture. Let all the governors embark on construction of rural roads and restore the zone as food basket of the nation.

“During the era of Late Obafemi Awolowo as the Premier of Western Region, the zone had an identity and an agenda, which were clearly stated. Southwest was economically buoyant to the extent that it was lending money to the federal government. Infrastructures such as University of Ife, the popular cocoa house in Ibadan, roads, schools among others were put in place for use. That was an agenda.”

Speaking on the need to be united, Oyeweso, who is a fellow of Nigerian Academic of Letters, stated that he’s disturbed by the call for secession by some ethnic groups, stating that it is a call for another round of civil war.

The Historian, while charging Nigerians to be advocates of unity, emphasized that no country in the world get out of civil war easily.

“No country is perfect. Whatever deficiency exist in the Nigerian state, the best thing is for all of us to work to finding solution. We can talk about it and find a solution to it. There’s nothing too big for us to talk about. That’s the way out and not secession or civil war.” Oyeweso said.

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