The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has appointed new officers to strengthen its operations.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the body, Jare Ajayi, indicated that the new Secretary-General is Ademola Babatunde Folarin, while the new Treasurer is Dare Babarinsa. The new Financial Secretary is Lanre Omisore.

They are to join the officers that are already occupying one position or the other for the organisation. They are the National Organisation Secretary, Kole Omololu; Legal Adviser, Dr Akin Onigbinde (SAN), and Ajayi as the National Publicity Secretary.

The appointments were made by the National Leader of the body, Reuben Fasoranti, during the commencement of a caucus meeting that took place in his residence at Akure, Ondo State capital, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The appointments were also ratified by the caucus.

Another announcement made concerning the appointments was that of former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, whose appointment as Chairman, Reconciliation Committee, was further ratified.

Ajayi quoted Fasoranti as saying that the appointments take immediate effect.

The new Secretary-General, Folarin, is a lawyer of over four decades standing and is a philanthropist not given to noise-making. He holds the chieftaincy title of Agbaakin Mayegun of Ibadanland. He is a Yoruba patriot who prefers to operate behind the scenes.

Babarinsa, the new Treasurer, is a well-known journalist who has been in practice for more than 40 years. He was among the pioneer members of staff of the defunct Concord newspaper and a founding member of Tell magazine, among others. He is a professional who often deploys his journalistic acumen to activities geared toward human rights protection and political activism.

Omisore is a seasoned lawyer with a foothold in financial transactions. He has practised in the United Kingdom and is an active practitioner in Nigeria as well. The Yoruba cause is very uppermost in his mind.