Yoruba leaders drawn from self-determination groups, socio-political organisations and advocacy platforms have established Yoruba Parapo, a central platform aimed at promoting unity, consultation and collective action among the Yoruba people.

The decision followed a series of consultations on challenges confronting the Yoruba nation, including insecurity, economic uncertainty, political marginalisation and concerns over the country’s constitutional framework.

In a statement, the Protem Administrative Secretary of Yoruba Parapo, Dr Olatunde Amusat, said the platform was established to provide a common ground for consultation, consensus-building and coordinated action on issues affecting the Yoruba people.

Amusat said the decision was unanimously adopted at meetings attended by leaders and stakeholders representing a broad spectrum of Yoruba organisations and interest groups.

According to him, participants reviewed the challenges confronting the Yoruba nation and identified the need for a common platform through which its interests, aspirations and concerns could be collectively articulated and advanced.

He said the participants also observed that other major nationalities and regions in Nigeria had established umbrella organisations serving as platforms for consultation, advocacy, dialogue and collective engagement on matters affecting their people.

Amusat said the leaders consequently agreed that the Yoruba people needed a similar mechanism capable of aggregating diverse viewpoints and translating shared interests into coordinated action.

He said Yoruba Parapo would provide an inclusive platform for engagement on security, economic development, cultural preservation, constitutional restructuring, regional cooperation, self-determination and the welfare of the Yoruba people.

The protem secretary, however, stressed that affiliated organisations would retain their identities, leadership structures, philosophies and operational independence.

“The platform is not intended to replace, subsume, or diminish existing organisations. Rather, it is designed to provide a common ground for consultation, collaboration, consensus-building, and collective decision-making,” he said.

Amusat said the establishment of Yoruba Parapo was a response to the challenges confronting the Yoruba people and a call for greater unity, strategic engagement and collective action.

He described the current period as a defining moment in Yoruba history, citing insecurity, economic uncertainty, political marginalisation and inadequate constitutional safeguards as challenges requiring a coordinated response.

“It was the considered view of attendees that no single organisation, leader, or pressure group can effectively address the numerous challenges confronting the Yoruba people in contemporary Nigeria.

“Therefore, a collective platform is both necessary and timely,” he said.

Amusat said member organisations would be represented in the highest decision-making body of Yoruba Parapo to ensure broad representation and inclusiveness.

He called on Yoruba self-determination groups, socio-cultural organisations, traditional institutions, professional associations, community development bodies, youth and women organisations, religious leaders, intellectuals and members of the Yoruba diaspora to join the initiative.

He also urged stakeholders committed to the progress, security, dignity and future of the Yoruba nation to contribute their ideas, expertise, resources and influence to the platform.

According to him, some of the Yoruba leaders who participated in the meeting, held physically in Ibadan and virtually, included Dr Oriyomi Attey, Dr Paul Bankole, Chief Banji Ayiloge, Ms Olusola Ajetunmobi-Davies and Mr Wale Adeoye.

Others were Mr Sina Akinpelu, Comrade Kunle Adesokan, Chief Kolawole Ilori, Dr Olu Omotoso, Dr Bayo Oriire, Baba Tax Omojola, Pastor Paul Bankole, Mr Dipo Akinsiku, Dr D.A. Aremu and Dr Kunle Amusat.

Amusat said organisations interested in affiliating with Yoruba Parapo could contact the platform through the numbers provided by the organisation.

He said the platform’s motto was: “Unity in Purpose, Strength in Action.”

Amusat added that Yoruba Parapo remained committed to dialogue, peaceful engagement, democratic values, mutual respect and the pursuit of a prosperous, secure and dignified future for the Yoruba nation.