The Indigenes of Ogun State of Nigeria in South Africa under the umbrella of Federation of Ogun State Patriots (FOSP) converged on Sunday 26 March 2023 at Pretoria Hotel, Acardia, Pretoria for their 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM). The theme for this year annual event was – Yoruba Nation at The Cross Road: The Way forward. The AGM, which was presided over by the Speaker of FOSP, Dr. Adegboyega Dada, featured a wide range of parliamentary discussions that concerned the current political situation in Nigeria and the fate of Yoruba people in the current dispensation.
The attendance featured a wide range of Yoruba professionals in South Africa mainly of Ogun State origin. Among others were Prof. Lekan Ayo-Yusuf the former Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Research) / Acting Vice- Chancellor of Sefako Makgato University, Prof. Olufemi Oluyeju- a law Professor and Yoruba Nation activist, Dr. Sina Okanlomo – an Obstetrician and Patron of BAT support group in SA, Dr. Yomi Oyekanmi, Dr. Abiodun Bajomo, Dr. Oluseyi Osiname, Dr. Olaolu Ogunsanwo, Dr. Babatunde Ilori the FOSP Deputy Speaker (Operations), Dr. Ademuyiwa Odusanya- an engineer and the General Secretary FOSP, Otunba Jaiyesimi the proprietor Luliluli Hotels in Pretoria, Mr. James Adekoya project manager/contractor, Mr. Fabian Lojede an actor / film producer, Mr. Olanrewaju Shokoya an educationist and Mr. Afeez Olugbenga, a project manager. Friends of Ogun State were also present including Dr. Adegboye, a notable dentist and an outstanding Yoruba community leader and Mr. Yomi Awosemo the coordinator of BAT support group in SA.
In his opening address, Dr. Adegboyega Dada congratulated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed and the incumbent governor of Ogun State Prince Dapo Abiodun who also won his bid for second term in office. He then went on to note that Ogun State indigenes played unsurpassed roles in nation building that laid the foundation for the current political freedom that Nigerians now enjoyed. The roles and achievements of Papa Obafemi Awolowo were mentioned as reference point and benchmark that current political actors should emulate and strive to surpass. Of note, other Ogun state past heroes and nationalists that came to fore were Madam Olufunmilayo Kuti, Aare Moshood Abiola, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Prof. Wole Soyinka and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Following a lead presentation by Prof. Olufemi Oluyeju on Emergence of Yoruba Nation as the only way out of current conundrum and counter presentation by Mr. Afeez Olugbenga who maintained that one Nigeria remained the best option, in a resolution brokered by Sina Okanlomo / Fabian Lojede, the house agreed that while the path to attaining Yoruba nation is a work in progress, Yoruba people should support the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and vigorously work for its success with possible suggestion that 1979 constitution should be revisited for memorandum on adoption of regional autonomy so that each region could develop at their own pace and cultural values.
On current agitation of ownership of Lagos, the house resolved that Lagos remained an integral part of Yoruba land and it must be so treated by everyone including the economic migrants who are now attempting to tamper with the peaceful coexistence that Nigerians of all walks of life have enjoyed in Lagos from time immemorial.
The group submitted that Ogun remained the gateway state with great potentials for economic growth and stability. They called on the state government to revitalize several projects initiated by the government of old western region like Iwopin paper mills, viable agricultural practices that will ensure food security in the state and beyond by returning back to farm settlement approach , affordable housing projects and radical infrastructural development among others.
After rigorous parliamentary discussions, the group submitted that the coastal region of Ogun State should be developed as new Ogun atlantic city for residential and hospitality businesses in partnership with both indigenous and foreign investors, and substantial inputs from the diaspora community.
In addition the group called for the development of a deep seaport for ogun state for import and export purposes to solidify our gateway status and to complement the already planned cargo airport.
The AGM ended with elections of officers – Dr. Adegboyega Dada (Speaker), Dr. Babatunde Ilori (Deputy Speaker – Operations), Dr. Ademuyiwa Odusanya (Deputy Speaker- Administration), Mr. Olanrewaju Shokoya (Secretary), Ms. Mojirola Osoba (Assistant Secretary), Mr. Fabian Lojede (PRO), Mr. Afeez Olugbemiga (Media Executive), Mrs. Omowunmi Solola (Financial Secretary), Mr. Keith Oladayo Esq (Treasurer) and Dr. Babatunde Agbeniga (Chief Whip).
The board of trustees remained – Prof. Lekan Ayo-Yusuf (Chair), Dr. Abiodun Bajomo (Deputy Chair), Dr. Ademuyiwa Ogunbase (Secretary), Prof. Olufemi Oluyeju, Otunba Olufemi Jaiyesinmi, Mr. Babatunde Odugbesan, Dr. Olaolu Ogunsanwo and Dr. Oluseyi Osiname.
