The Director General, Development Agenda For Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission), Mr Seye Oyeleye, was Olayinka Agboola’s guest on his Splash 105.5FM Radio Show, Parrot Xtra/Ayekooto on Radio recently. During the interaction, he spoke about the giant strides of the Commission especially on the new Omoluabi books about to be introduced to South West schools among many salient issues…Excerpts
Can you describe how easy it is running DAWN Commission?
It has had its very exciting times and there have been challenging times. The Development Agenda For Western Nigeria (DAWN) is a commission set up to administer regional cooperation. Talking about the regional cooperation, we know we no longer have regions again in Nigeria, rather what we have now are 36 states in the country and in the Western part of Nigeria, we have six states and these include Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.
When you have a commission that has to ensure that in several critical areas, they are able to copy each other, reason alike, share ideas, and bring them together to the same table. It might look quite simple probably because they speak the same language but it isn’t because our psyche over the last 40/50 years has taken regionalism away completely.
In bringing six states together, there must be a striking delicate balance to ensure they understand each other and work together. People may take it for granted saying they are same Yoruba-speaking states but the truth is that they are independent states now. Our job is to ensure that there is a common ground where they can do things together. It has not been that easy and it has not been difficult.
Can you enlighten the public more on the roles of DAWN Commission?
We are concerned about the development of the western state. If you take a backward glance at 50 to 60 years ago, you will remember that we were operating regionalism then. Though our forefathers do say it was during the regional government that development took place but since we’ve been divided into six states now, we have started doing things independently contrary to what they told us. It is important that we are united since we used to be one from the onset.
Our commission’s job is to dialogue with the six states, suggest plans that will bring about development, which we have been doing, and shreds of evidence are what the people see around. For instance, our commission established the western security network, codenamed, Amotekun.
Can you briefly tell us the role your Commission played to bring Lagos State to join O’dua Investment Company Limited…
I will simply say that Lagos State saw reasons…because there is no way we will talk about Western Nigeria without mentioning Lagos, even though some people have erroneously come up with the narratives that Lagos is alone or a no-man’s land.
We have some misguided elements that keep saying Lagos is no man’s land, and it is imperative for Lagos to work closely with their neighboring states.
We told Lagos if you want to prosper, your neighboring states have to be prosperous as well; we can’t keep having one-eyed man amongst other blind men. It wasn’t that hard, but in the real sense, the fact that Lagos wasn’t part of the old western region was more political. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought to ensure that Lagos was not exempted from other western regions but other political opponents did not want that for Awolowo. We are very grateful to the previous administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the present Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for making sure Lagos is part of O’dua Investment Company, which is now on a strong footing.
They have now reorganized themselves; recently we became a very big player in the oil industry, which was a giant leap for the western region. All the plans that have been set up for the next five years will be a piece of good news for the entire Western region not for O’dua Company alone.
Is DAWN Commission planning to bring other Yorubas in various states like Kwara, Kogi, Niger, and Republic of Benin into the fold?
We have a good working relationship with those in Benin Republic. We have things we do in common, but we wish it will be better and hopefully it will once understanding is established amongst our Governors and the Benin Republic.
Furthermore, concerning those in Kogi and Kwara states, I want you to understand that we work under the federal system, and under the delineation of the map, the western region does not exceed those six states I mentioned earlier. It is an artificial boundary and we do work with our brothers in Kwara and Kogi and even a lot of our children from these states work with DAWN commission.
It can be better but they are not excluded, we carry them along but who knows may be in the future we might be able to have them as members of the commission.
Cultural integration ought to be one of the plans you are working or researching on, do you have plans for any southwestern anthem or something like that?
Right from our inception, part of the things we do is to ensure that we understand our history. We do organize a quarterly program themed ‘Yoruba historical conversation’ we have had about four episodes that saw us bringing in top most historians who came in to remind us about our history and culture.
The aim of this program is to ensure that our children know whom the Yorubas are, what they achieved, and what they can still achieve. DAWN Commission is not for Yoruba but rather it is for the western region that is anyone who lives in the western region.
When Amotekun was set up, some people were asking if it was solely established for the Yorubas but I said no, it is for those who are in the western region.
Furthermore, on the issue of having one anthem as opposed to the different anthems in the different states, DAWN believes individual peculiarities as being one of the reasons why there might not be a single anthem for all the western states.
One anthem cannot be imposed on all six states, though we have two states who have adopted the same anthems (Ondo and Osun state). It is a gradual thing and we believe we will get to the point where the six western states will adopt one anthem.
What is the plan of the commission in ensuring even development across all rural areas?
What we do at the DAWN Commission is that of policy, we are called technocrats. By the grace of God next year, we will be having town hall meetings and various programs will be organized for them. In fact, some radio stations have been coming to meet us to have some (15-20 minutes) shows with them on how we can be sensitizing the people on the importance of the Yoruba language and culture.
Recently, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said that Amotekun should be well equipped just like their colleagues in the North. Do you agree with his view?
Yes, we support the Governor on this. When we established Amotekun, the federal government was against it, but our western governors said the security forces the federal government has provided would not be enough, and this led to the establishment of Amotekun that is operational today. Governor Akeredolu saw the need for our local police to be effective just like their colleagues in the Northern part in order for them to be able to tackle insecurity in our region.
At least the Amotekun might not have started using guns but what they have been doing ever since they were established has made people to trust them and for them to be more effective and to grow, they have to hold guns.
Well, at this point I must ask you what you think about our ‘Omoluabi’ culture in Yorubaland that is fast being obliterated…
A society that neglects ethics and values is heading for destruction. For instance, during the EndSARS protest, there was a report that claims there was some miscreant who went ahead to some garages to set ablaze 100 luxurious buses in Lagos, which mean a properly trained child, would not behave that way. There is no way our society can grow if our ethics and values are bastardized. Our effort at DAWN Commission in the past two years has been that we have been trying to publish a book that will be distributed to a certain age group, those in primary 4 and JSS3 which will be known as the ‘Omoluabi book’.
We are giving it to the age group that can still be remolded. As of today, the books are in five volumes and are easily readable for children. The book is 98% ready between this year and early next year it will be launched based on the schedules of our governors.
The book will be launched and distributed in all the six states. The teachers will use those books to construct and reconstruct our children’s characters and we believe if they start teaching them weekly with it, some points will drop into their minds and brains. It will be an unforgettable moment when the Omoluabi book is launched.
I know you are supposed to be non-partisan but what are your reactions to what Pa Ayo Adebanjo reportedly said about Yorubas giving their support for Dr Peter Obi of Labour Party during next year’s presidential election?
In Yoruba land, we are democrats and I believe no one can say I have spoken for the whole people. Pa Adebanjo has only spoken for his faction and we respect his opinion just as others that have spoken for their factions.
We are all free to support whoever we want to support. One thing no one should ascribe to is that Pa Ayo Adebanjo has spoken for the whole of Yoruba race because that is not true. There are other equally popular Yoruba groups like Yoruba Council of Elders, Afenifere Renewal Group and others.
How cordial is the relationship between DAWN commission and O’dua Investment Company?
We have a perfect working relationship. Their new management board has strengthened our working relationship. It can only be good news for western Nigeria. We serve as the think tank while they serve as the money people. In order words, we think for them and they make and spend the money.
