Self- Government in Western Nigeria

In March 1953, Anthony Enahoro at the age of 29, moved a motion for internal self- government for various regions in Nigeria.  He submitted that Nigeria should be granted independence in 1956 but this was met with stiff opposition from his fellow parliamentarians who ensured that the motion was killed. The motion for Nigeria’s independence was not successfully moved in the Nigerian Parliament until 1957.

By 8th of August 1957, The defunct Western Nigeria was granted self-government (political). ATÁYÉSE a Yoruba self- determination organization propelled by the vision and commitment to accomplish;

• Autonomy of the Yoruba nation within a truly FEDERAL UNION OF NIGERIA and the furtherance of Yoruba interest worldwide;

• Generation of inform discourse, debates and ideas on economic, political, social and cultural policies aimed at making Yoruba nation a highly developed and value – oriented society.

Under the distinguish Chairman Chief Tokunbo AJASIN and Secretary Comrade Wole AINA, organizes event to celebrate commemoration of this historic feat annually. The aim of the celebration is to look back to history, in re- evaluating and redressing the past of the Yoruba peoples to know and ascertain that the present and future of the region can be better, it should also be noted that feat was critical, and celebrating it is believed to help bring forth the memory of the building of an egalitarian society by the for bearers.

R-L Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, Com. Wole Aina and Myself at an event in Ibadan.

The 2012 edition which I was privileged to attend was organized as lecture with the theme: 1957 Self- Government: The foundation of Yoruba demand for Internal Self- Government succinctly delivered by Prof. Ezekiel K. Ogundowole formerly of the department of Philosophy, University of Lagos, at the Banquet Hall of Premier Hotel Mokola, Ibadan, while that of 2014 was hosted at the Freedom Square, Lagos.
The 2015 edition will take the form of a SEMINAR ON FEDERAL OPULENCE AND STATE INDIGENCE A CASE FOR FISCAL FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA.

Artist at the celebration of commemoration of Self Government of Western Region in Lagos.

@iyabadan on Twitter

MY VILLAGE EXPERIENCE SERIES

THE JOURNEY

Adejokeiyabadan at the entrance of the village family house

I went to bed hoping for the break of a great new day. Indeed Thursday 1st of January 2015 started on a great note as expected of anyone as it is the beginning of a new Gregorian year. Yeah! It is the first day of 2015. I woke up very early not because I was trying to start a good habit of waking up early in a new year, but this is a day I have been looking forward to in the past few months. 

I will be visiting my village (ABA OLOSUDE) at IGBO ELERIN.

Omo ale Ibadan ni ile, ni ki loko.

It is said that only bastard of Ibadan will claim to have a compound and no village. As a genuine daughter of the historical city of Ibadaland, I am of the <strong>ADETORO CLAN</strong> of <strong>ABA OLOSUDE</strong>, <strong>AGBEDE VILLAGE</strong> at<strong> IGBO ELERIN</strong>.

Every first day of the year, the entire <strong>ADETORO CLAN</strong> converge in the village to celebrate their existence together. This has been a tradition of the family since time immemorial. The older generation told stories of how they gathered together in the village on the eve of the New Year to attend worship places together for cross-over services into the New Year. Alas! 2015 was no exception. 

It was my first in that village (though it wasn’t my first time visiting a village/living in a village, as I had spent a summer at my maternal village when I was in elementary school). I have looked forward earnestly to this day, I was going to see my wonderful grannies, which I last saw during the Sallah celebration, I will be getting loads of eko (cold pap) &amp; palm oil, I will be meeting new family members. I am anticipating a reunion of beautiful and wonderful people of <strong>ADETORO CLAN</strong>. 

So, I woke up at 5:00am filled with excitement having slept at 3:00am, to catch the first bus to the village, as the male folks had left for the previous day, mummy, my little sister and I am to join them today in the celebration. Hey! Did that just crossed your mind, that the bus to her village is timely, that she had to wake up early to catch the first bus. SMH! for you. 
As expected during the festive period, there was an outrageous hike in transport fare; however, I was willing to pay any amount this day. I can’t wait to see my extended family, our vast farmland, I can’t wait to visit the mystic <strong>LEGUDU RIVER</strong>, I can’t wait to see grannies palm oil processing sites.  I surely can’t wait to be in my village. 
Bearing this in mind, I kept my phone battery fully charged, with thoughts of different poses of selfies to be taken at the various places I will be visiting. Settling in the bus, I sat back relaxed, enjoying the cool breeze, while being aware of every village on the way, I occupied myself with reading of billboards and sign posts on either side of the road, (a travelling habit form childhood). The one hour drive from the park to <strong>AGBEDE VILLAGE</strong> was bumpy and smooth; the road was a reflection of what we suffered in the metropolis.    

Adejokeiyabadan’s blog