The Leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof Banji Akintoye, has called off celebrations for his 87th birthday in honour of detained Yoruba Nation Agitator Sunday Igboho.
Akintoye, who clocked 87 on Friday, said he cannot be celebrating when Igboho is still in detention in Benin Republic.
He urged the Yoruba people to keep the hope of a Yoruba Nation alive.
Akintoye, a renowned Historian and Second Republic member of the Senate, hails from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti-State.
In a statement by the Communications Secretary of the self-determination movement, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye urged the Yoruba people who believe in the actualisation of Yoruba Nation to keep hope alive, stating that Yoruba Nation is an idea whose time has come.
“Today, I clock 87. I thank God for this unusual grace and favour from God. I am grateful to God for the strength, energy and good health that I am enjoying.
“My message to the Yoruba people worldwide who are passionate for the country of their own is not to lose hope. I am more than convinced that we are on our way to freedom. Our agitation is an idea whose time has come.
“We shall keep the struggle alive, and beyond the manipulation of the Nigerian government. We won’t allow the Nigerian Government to criminalise our struggle. The Yoruba people worldwide are urged never to be deterred.
“Many Yoruba patriots worldwide planned to celebrate my birthday but I pleaded with them not to do so in honour of my son and one of the heroes of our struggle, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Igboho, by all of us. I cannot be celebrating birthday when Igboho is in detention.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
