Yoruba leader, Akintoye Clocks 87, asks Yoruba to get ready for own country
By Bolu Alao
Fiery Yoruba self determination activist, Prof Banji Akintoye has turned 87. He will spend his birthday in exile. He has a message for Yoruba people all over the world: Dont despair, you shall be free.
The leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji marks his clocks 87 today. Irohinoodua heard that thousands of wellwishers have been calling the forme Senator and one of the surviving confidant of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Akintoye, a Professor of History survived three assasination attempts before his exile early last year.
Akintoye hails from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti-State.
In a statement signed by the Communications Secretary of the Self-Determination Movement, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye urged the Yoruba people who believes in the actualisation of Yoruba Nation to keep hope alive, stating that Yoruba Nation is an idea whose time has come.
“Today, I clock 87. I thank God for this unusual grace and favour from God. I am grateful to God for the strength, energy and good health that I am enjoying.
“My message to the Yoruba people worldwide who are passionate for the country of their own is not to lose hope. I am more than convinced that we are on our way to freedom. Our agitation is an idea whose time has come.
“We shall keep the struggle alive, and beyond the manipulation of the Nigerian government. We won’t allow the Nigerian Government to criminalise our struggle. The Yoruba people worldwide are urged never to be deterred.
“Many Yoruba patriots worldwide planned to celebrate my birthday but I pleaded with them not to do so in honour of my son and one of the heroes of our struggle, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Ighoho, by all of us. I cannot be celebrating birthday when Ighoho is in detention.”
