The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, has lauded the governors of South Western Nigeria for adopting the Yoruba national anthem; ‘Ise wa fun ile wa’..
The commendation was made at the weekend by The National Leader of the organization, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR.
In a statement issued by Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the Leader was quoted as saying that the adoption of the anthem “signifies a resolve by South West governments that our region will be marching forward with unity of purpose”.
Pa Fasoranti also congratulated Governor Sanwo-Olu for becoming the Chairman of South West Governors’ Forum.
“It is a welcome development. I pray that he will succeed as he enjoys the support and cooperation of his fellow governors just as his immediate predecessor, late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, did”.
It would be recalled that the governors of the six states in the south western part of Nigeria, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Lagos and Oyo, at a meeting they held in Lagos on Monday, June 10, 2024, adopted the said anthem to be sang in their respective states.
Pa Fasoranti praised the governors for having a good sense of history as he recalled that the anthem was composed by the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) under the leadership of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, GCON. Indeed, it was Chief Awolowo who composed the composition and asked Chief Hubert Ogunde, the renowned artiste to give the anthem a melody. Ogun State goverment, under late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, adopted the anthem. Osun State did the same when Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was governor. Late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu followed suit by adopting it for Ondo State.
This, however, was the first time that all governments in the South West Region would adopt a common anthem. The uniqueness of the anthem is not only in the exhortative words it contains but also in the fact that it is in the native language of the people, Yoruba.
The Yoruba Leader also commended the governors for their renewed commitment to develop Yorubaland and enhance the condition of the people of the region through the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) which they are now more determined to support.
Ajayi further quoted Pa Fasoranti as urging the governors to ensure that the anthem is learnt and recited by students in all Yoruba speaking areas and beyond.
Expressing concern on the security situation in the country, the statement called on federal and states’ governments as well security agencies to double their efforts with a view to halting the incessant kidnapping as well as avoidable loss of lives to banditry that is now rampart.
“Efforts need to be geared up to stop men and women of the underworld soonest as they are making virtually everywhere unsafe these days”, the statement submitted with suggestions on how to bring this about.
Among the suggestions given were the immediate establishment of state and local government police, boosting the morale of security personnel with robust remuneration and equipment as well as the deployment of modern technology to comb the country’s forests and bushes.
“It is also high time that data gathered through the registration of sim cards and National Identification Number (NIN) be utilized to track kidnappers, their hideouts, their sponsors and collaborators”, the statement concluded.
