In his efforts to set machinery in motion towards the actualization of a new Yoruba reality, the elected Yoruba Leader and Emeritus Professor of History, Banji Akintoye, has announced the constitution of an “Executive Council” to steer the affairs of Yoruba World Congress (YWC).
In a press statement signed by the body’s Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye, it was also noted that Prof. Akintoye is bent on achieving the targeted objectives of the organization.
The YWC is the umbrella body of all yoruba socio-cultural, self-determination and advocacy groups in and beyond Nigeria.
Speaking at a “Policy and Strategy Session for Yoruba future” in Lagos, the Erudite Scholar, who was a member of 2nd Republic Senate promised to name a 16-man “Leaders Council ” soon to further help him actualise his plans for a greater Yoruba people and culture.
Aside the announcement of the Executive Council, another highlight of the session was formal ratification and adoption of a 52-page constitution drafted to guild the day-to-day governing of YWC.
Amidst a round of applause from all participants present at the session, Akintoye named the Executive Director of Center for International Advanced Processional Studies, CIAPS, Professor Anthony Kila, as his Secretary-General while a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Daily Times Conglomerate, Chief Tola Adeniyi, was named Communications Secretary.
Also announced by Akintoye is an Afenifere Chieftain, Dr. Amos Arogundade Akingba, as Financial Secretary while the Chairman of Space FM and Afro Space TV, Otunba Deji Osibogun, was named as the Organizing Secretary.
A former Leader of Oodua People’s Congress, Evangelist Kunle Adesokan, was named Head of Security and Intelligence while a NADECO veteran, Otunba Shade Olukoya, was appointed as the Welfare Secretary and Women Leader.
A Former Director General of National Troop of Nigeria, Dr. Akin Adejuwon, was appointed as the Coordinator of Youth Empowerment Initiatives while a Civil Society Activist and renowned Author, Comrade Victor Olu Taiwo, was appointed as the Director of Contacts and Mobilization.
A Political Scientist and Chief Executive Officer of The Elite Creative Solutions, a fastest growing Media Marketing Research and Public Relations Consulting Firm, Mr. Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye, was appointed as the Director of Media and Communications. Otunba Dolapo Balogun, a Finance Expert/ Insurance Guru, was named the Director of Finance while Princess Ronke Akinlolu, an Activist and a Grassroots Mobilizer, was named Director of Welfare and Women Affairs.
While promising to expand the management council as occasion and events demands, Akintoye also announced the appointment of a five-man Strategy, Policy and Planning committee to work with him and other officers of YWC to ensure that targeted objectives of the organization are effectively achieved.
The committee members are: an Igbinedon University Professor, Femi Olufunmilade; California based Architect, Tilewa Osifeso; Spokesperson of Yoruba Liberation Command, YUILCOM, Architect George Akinola; Erudite Scholar and Chief Executive Officer of Aflon Digital Institute, Abuja, Dr. Akin Fapounda and an Ikorodu born Finance Consultant, Mr. Babatunde Jones.