Elder statesman and former diplomat, Ambassador Dr. Yemi Farounbi, has called for a Yoruba renaissance driven by collective action, cultural rediscovery and the development of the region’s economic resources.
He also advocated the collective development of the Ikere Gorge Dam in Oyo State for electricity generation, describing hydroelectric power as an effective means of addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.

Farounbi made the call when leaders of the Community Integrity and Heritage Support Initiatives (CIHSI) visited him to mark his 82nd birthday.
He said the Yoruba needed to look inward, rediscover their strengths and build on their cultural, economic and developmental resources to achieve meaningful progress.

“For Yoruba to grow, it has to start from within. We need to rediscover our ecosystem. There is a need for a renaissance before we can grow,” he said.
The elder statesman urged the Yoruba to embrace the changes necessary to make the region and Nigeria more prosperous, stressing the importance of collective efforts in unlocking development opportunities.

He called for collaboration among stakeholders to develop the Ikere Gorge Dam for power generation, noting the potential of hydroelectricity to improve electricity supply.
“We can develop Ikere Gorge Dam collectively for power generation. One of the most effective means of power supply is hydro,” he said.

Farounbi also lauded CIHSI for its activities in promoting Yoruba heritage and development, urging its members to remain committed to their mission.
“Thank you for what you are doing. You are making a difference and adding value. Don’t give up,” he said.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of CIHSI, Engr. (Dr.) Akinbolade Jones Adeniponye, described Farounbi as an elder statesman whose contributions to Yoruba unity, heritage and development had spanned several decades.
In a tribute to mark the birthday, Adeniponye described the former diplomat as an “apostle of Yoruba renaissance” and a champion of unity, heritage and emancipation.

He said Farounbi had remained actively involved in intellectual, cultural and socio-political discussions on the unity, dignity and development of the Yoruba people.
According to him, Farounbi’s involvement in the Yoruba unity and emancipation movement dates back to the post-NADECO era, when he founded OODUA ASSEMBLY as a platform for advancing Yoruba interests.

Adeniponye said the organisation’s vision extended beyond political agitation to include infrastructure development, industrialisation, employment generation, security and accelerated development.
He added that Farounbi had continued to contribute to conversations on governance, heritage and the future of the Yoruba through platforms such as the South West Development Stakeholders Forum and Yoruba Discuss Group.

Adeniponye also highlighted Farounbi’s role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CIHSI, saying his experience had helped shape the organisation’s vision of promoting effective governance and establishing a Yoruba Heritage Commission.
He said the organisation’s Yoruba Heritage Renaissance Project, anchored on a Renaissance Congress, was conceived as a platform for bringing together traditional rulers, leaders and people of Yoruba land and the diaspora to advance their shared heritage and development aspirations.

Adeniponye said Farounbi’s 82nd birthday provided an opportunity to celebrate not only his longevity but also his decades of service and commitment to the advancement of the Yoruba people.