Yoruba leaders hold colloquium on security Dec 6

Prominent Yoruba leaders, including Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, will join other stakeholders on Friday, December 6, at a colloquium on national security with particular focus on the South West.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the colloquium, which will hold at Western Sun Hotel, Ede, Osun State, is organised by a group of professionals and business leaders under the aegis of Ede Unique Club of Nigeria.

A statement jointly signed by the conveners, Dr. Dhikrullah Yagboyaju and Dr. Kajogbola Alimi, gave the theme of the colloquium as ‘Imperative of National Security for Development: South West Nigeria in Focus’.

According to the organisers, the colloquium will galvanise different perspectives of stakeholders from the academia, civil society and non-state actors on the way out of the security challenges facing the nation.“This theme could not have been more apt, considering the serious security challenges facing the nation, with particular focus on South West Nigeria,” the organisers said.

They cited kidnapping, armed banditry, ritual killing and child abuse among the security challenges facing the country.“Also, Prof. Olutayo Adesina of University of Ibadan (UI) will bring on board historical perspectives, while Alhaji Adebayo Jimoh, former Group Managing Director of Oodua Group, will set the tone for the discussion as chairman at the colloquium,” it said.

The colloquium, according to the group, is aimed at promoting dialogue and informed discourse on salient national issues with a view to stimulating ideas and proffering workable solutions.The statement said that some eminent Nigerians would also receive awards for their contribution to society at the event, organised to mark the group’s 36th anniversary.

Among the awardees is Wife of Osun State governor, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, who would be honoured for single-handedly repatriating a Nigerian family that was stranded in Ukraine.Others are philanthropist and member of the Governing Council, Adeleke University, Chief Modupe Adeleke-Sanni; Commissioner for Governor’s Office, Osun State, Alhaja Latifat Giwa; and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Abiodun Layonu.

Among the past recipients of the club’s merit award are former First Lady of Oyo State, Alhaja Rahmat Adisa; and pioneer First Lady of Osun, Mrs. Betty Ajiborisha.Other past awardees include the late Chief Yisa Yagboyaju, founder, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria; the late Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, first executive governor of Osun; and the late Chief Mufutau Olanihun, foremost business mogul and industrialist.