Awolowo’s Daughter Laments Southwest Governors Absence At Father’s Book Presentation

The daughter of late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu has lamented the absence of  all the six south west Governors at the book presentation to honour the memory and lagacies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The book is the Yoruba translation of autobiography of late Premier of South West, Chief Obafemi Awolowo titled ‘AWO’ by Alaroye, a Yoruba tabloid weekly paper held at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan.

She expressed disappointment over their absence, noted that out of all the invited six governors in southwest, only the governor of Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde sent a representative.

According to her, “we call this gathering in the name of our father, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I am so delighted to see the Alaafin of Oyo here. I am happy at the turnout of traditional rulers and important personalities that graced this occasion.

“Awolowo was the premier of the western region which covers eight states of the present government.

“It is disheartening that only one state governor sent a representative. I don’t know whether the governors do not like Chief Awolowo.

“I encourage Yoruba elders to be visionary and not forsake their visions. Awolowo never forsook his vision for the Yoruba race, and that’s why we’re all benefitting from it.

Speaking at the event, the  guest speaker, Professor Banji Akintoye encouraged young Yoruba people to emulate Chief Awolowo and continue with his legacies.

He encouraged Yoruba people to reject being dominated by people from other regions in Nigeria.

According to him, “We thank Alaroye for this. This is a wakeup call to the Yoruba race, so that our nation the Yoruba nation will not be brought down by anybody.

“It is enough that we have been submerged in Nigeria as a county, nevertheless, we should not allow the submergence to destroy us.

“There is an intention by a small group of people to reduce the Yoruba race. It is a deliberate attempt by the few people to destroy the people of Nigeria. The Yoruba people must not permit.

“We must continue with our culture of hospitality, but, if anybody or any group threaten our land, we have the strength and power to expunge them from our land, and we will.

The Publisher, Alaroye, Adedayo Alao disclosed that the event was organised to give the Yoruba people to opportunity to bear the mind to their leaders.

“The security situation is getting worse by the day.  Truly, things are happening. The public was not invited to the security summit that held on Tuesday. It’s not unfair and not in the interest of the Yoruba people. If our people are harsh now, it is because we have been neglected.” Adedayo said.

Those who are present at the book presentation include prominent Yoruba leaders, Ambassador (Dr.) Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi; Oyo state deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan; Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Alabi; Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, Dr. Gani Adams; Yinka Odumakin; the Yoruba Imam in Ilorin, Abdulraman and others.