By Kayode Emola
The cry for Yoruba Independence is not new; however, what is new is the approach adopted by the current proponents of the self-determination struggle. Our approach goes far beyond merely crying for independence, but actively and persistently taking action to fulfill those cries. Our doggedness provokes fear in the political circles, as they know that we will not give up or accept compromise this time.
These are the vital ingredients for success, so I highly appreciate the many who have stayed steadfast in this course. We have previously faced the challenge of being indiscriminately trusting of everyone who purported to fight for our goal of independence. However, when there were no funds to be shared, people’s true colours and motivation for coming on board were revealed for all to see. It has become clear who among us are true crusaders, and who are fifth columnists standing for nothing other than their own personal gain.
Therefore, the time has come for us to rid ourselves of the shackles of those who have betrayed the struggle and spur forward. There is a lot of ground to cover and much more work to be done; so the earlier we get to work, the better it will be for all of us.
Some people believe that Nigeria will one day collapse, so if only we wait until then, we can take our Yoruba nation out without resistance. Whilst I pray and hope that that day will come soon and that path will be feasible, I know that we must also be realistic. If we are truly honest with ourselves, it is that our only recourse is to hasten that day by our own deliberate activities.
With all the corruption in Nigeria today, those who benefit from this rot will always strive to find a way to perpetuate it, so long as we allow them. Consider the housing tax recently introduced by the Lagos state government. We have yet to see any evidence that this is anything more than a tenement rate by a different name. This is just one example of a stealth tax designed to steal from innocent people to enrich the political class, and before you know it, there will be several more.
We have now reached our tipping point, where either we move forward or we perish completely. If we desire to move forward, to avoid perishing, we must be proactive and deliberate in our work toward self-determination. The most effective strategy we can implement is the mass mobilisation of our people, and there are many tools available to us to achieve this, including mass communication and call to action.
This requires a two-pronged approach. We need to educate our people to the reality that an independent Yoruba nation is the only solution to our current predicament in Nigeria. Any other alternative is just like putting a sticking plaster on a gunshot wound. But we also need to communicate the benefits that an independent Yoruba nation offers to our people, both at home and abroad.
It is therefore imperative that we all come together, united with one voice and one mission: to achieve Yoruba independence. By striving together, we know that our victory will come sooner than we can even hope for.
We have been on this journey for the past six years already, so we must not waste any more time ruminating on past failures. We must focus on our mission and work towards it. It is only by keeping our eyes on the finish line at all times that we can ever hope to cross it; and by God’s grace, we will achieve our desired goal, so long as we faint not.
