Lagos indigenes form new pressure group to tackle marginalisation

• Eulogise late Tunji Braithwaite
• Insist Wole Soyinka quits Lagos at 50 panel
The campaign against alleged marginalisation of indigenes in Lagos State grew louder yesterday as a new pressure group emerged to join other allied organisations in the struggle.

The new socio-cultural group, known as Omo Eko Pataki, aims to canvass for better representation in public offices for Lagos indigenes with roots from the five divisions of Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos and Epe (IBILE).

Meanwhile, the group has paid tribute to one “of our modern day great and Omo Eko Pataki”, the late Tunji Braithwaite, who died recently at the age of 82.

Observing a-minute silence for Braithwaite, President of the group, Adeniji-Adele, said the life of the departed lawyer was one that was well spent in the service of humanity, his people and Lagos.

Adeniji-Adele said that the new apolitical pressure group was motivated by the need to salvage “our patrimony from being taken away by those who dislike Lagos indigene.”

He said: “The dream of every Lagos indigenes is a Lagos where opportunities are given to indigenes as much as those given to non-indigenes. A pride in our history, culture, values and beliefs. But our dreams are on the reverse daily by the powers that be who of course have no passion for Lagos.

“The Omo Eko Pataki project is intended to speak for Lagosians, espouse their beliefs and derive mentorship from the enviable records available in order to ensure a better future,” Adeniji-Adele said.

He added that the group, through regular meetings and advocacy would promote socio-cultural and political networking in the IBILE of Lagos with the aim to advance indigenous quality assurance that in the next five years, Lagos indigenes would occupy vantage positions in the socio-political and economic affairs of the state.

Adeniji-Adele also reiterated the position of the Eko Foundation that Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, an Ogun indigene, was not eligible to Chair the Lagos Golden Jubilee anniversary committee and should therefore resign from such appointment.

He said given the wide condemnation that had attended Soyinka’s appointment in the affairs that should be strictly for Lagosians, the state government should have a serious rethink and listen to the voice of wisdom.

On his own, Banire said that Lagos indigenes were not quarrelling with revered Soyinka, but “how many elders of Lagos does he know or how much of Lagos does he know than the Lagosians themselves?”