Nigeria Has Frustrated Younger Generation, Say Yoruba Elders

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) yesterday lamented what the younger generation in the country is passing through,saying they have become frustrated because the present state of the country doesn’t give them any hope for the future. This is just as it said what the present generation could tolerate and be hopeful for, the younger generation cannot afford to wait because they think the country is wasting them.

The Secretary-General of the Council, Dr. Kunle Olajide, while speaking with journalists at the end of its meeting held in Ibadan, noted that YCE was not opposed to the reaction of the younger generation, but want them to moderate in their reaction adding that, “we don’t want to sacrifice them because the power of government is enormous and we can see what is happening now.”

“So whatever we can do we are doing it behind the scenes to ensure the freedom of Sunday Igboho in Benin Republic”, he said.

The communique of the meeting, which was read by Hon. Niyi Ajibulu, the Secretary of the Ekiti State chapter of YCE, read: “For sustaining the nation thus far, especially the elders for surviving the scourge, the ailment and the Clement climate and the covid-19 pandemic, the council views with great concern the unending state of insecurity that has assumed unimaginable dimension in recent times.

“Unfortunately, it appears to have defied all solutions. The council views very seriously that the trend whereby the citizens will not be able to go about their normal businesses is totally unacceptable and should not continue.”

“The menace, threat of Fulani herdsmen, bandit and kidnappers should be contained with a view to sanitising the society. As far as Yoruba council of elders is concerned, we believe that Nigeria should be made workable and conducive for all regardless of religion or ethnicity.

“That there are abundant natural endowments that can be harnessed by visionary leadership to effect a sanitized society. To the glory of God and our nation, we Yorubas are known not to be cowards, we are renowned for valour and courage. A situation where double standards,

tribalism and social Injustice remain the order of the day is not in anyway acceptable.

“Under no circumstances should any Yoruba son, daughter, group or organisation be victimised, hounded and persecuted. The Yoruba council of elders is calling on all Yoruba sons and daughters, groups and organisations to close ranks and be united in the face of the present circumstances in Nigeria.

“The YCE again restate that the 1999 Constitution is a quasi-dictatorial document imposed on Nigerians and that it is responsible for most of the current challenges.

“The council of elders is therefore, again, calling on the federal government of Nigeria to do the needful at this critical stage of national life by accommodating true federalism and a new constitution by the Nigerian people.”