In the study of the idea and practice of ethnic self determination within a national polity the ideas of Leye Ige,as demonstrated on Nigerian centred listerves,are a memorable example.
On the opposite side of this ideological divide is Obi Nwakanma's perspective on the positive value of the cohesion of ethnic groups within a national polity,with particular reference to Nigeria.
The quality of scholarship and passion these two men bring to this subject makes their contributions as evident in debates on this subject on listerves, vital subjects of study.I intend to compile their latest contribution to this subject as evident in a debate under the thread"Only in Oduduwaland", a debate inspired by Lagos state governor Babatunde Fashola's stated resolve to appoint more Igbos in his cabinet .Ideally, this compilation will juxtapose their perspectives with those of other contributors to the debate.
I am not doing this yet but in the course of research on the role of the Nigerian Diaspora in Nigerian development,with particular reference to politics, I again came across this conference announcement that exemplifies the spirit of ethnic self determination,particularly within a national setting which some members of that ethnic group understand as hostile to the interests of their ethnic unit.
I won't pretend to have a significant grasp of the significance of this conference and the ensuing declaration which I will post shortly,in the larger scheme of Nigerian politics,but I am reposting them with this introduction because these initiatives are worth studying for their historical value and as a guide to possible future developments.
Thank you.
Toyin Adepoju
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Leye Ige <ige.leye@yahoo.com> Date: 2 July 2010 22:42
Subject: [OmoOdua] REMINDER--JULY 17 PHILADELPHIA
To: omo oodua <
omoodua@yahoogroups.com>, "
yorubaworld@yahoogroups.com" <
yorubaworld@yahoogroups.com>
INVITATION: CONFERENCE OF THE YORUBA IN DIASPORA.
In the life of a nation, this time our Yoruba Nation, there comes a time when certain strategic moves have to be made to maintain her historical legacy in pursuit of her manifest destiny. In a continuing effort to preserve, promote and reinforce our Nationhood, we have won outstanding victories at many such times in our history. We recall, among others: The rallying of Yoruba forces to checkmate the Fulani incursion into the Yoruba Homeland in the early 19th century; Our Golden Era between 1952 and 1962; and The resistance to the attempt to overrun the West in 1965.
Such a time is here now again, when historic decisions have to be taken. In these times, we are faced with the negation, and even the threat of destruction, of our identity as a nation. The foundations of our nation's moral fiber are being massively assaulted, and our well-known capabilities to develop and modernize are being suppressed, - all through an insidious system of external control, exercised through the imposition of "leaders" in power over us. These "leaders", all claiming to represent us, are sustained by the "free" flow of funds from the corrupt umbrella of the central government. Today, corruption in Nigeria is not merely a matter of individual criminality of public officials; it is a deliberate tool being used by one group to subvert, weaken and control the various peoples of Nigeria. That is why it has become the unassailable order of the day. More and more, the persons who lead us in the context of Nigeria are surrendering to this external control, abandoning and destroying our national identity, and viciously wrecking the "Omoluwabi" essence of our ethics and culture. But under these circumstances, what is to be done? This is why you are invited to participate in this Conference.
THEME: THE WAY FORWARD FOR YORUBA PEOPLE
VENUE: GLADFALTER HALL, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, N. BROAD STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
DATE: JULY 17, 2010 (9am – 8pm)
GUEST SPEAKERS:
• Prof Banji Akintoye- Former Professor of History and Director of African Studies,, OAU, Ife; former Asst. National Secretary, Unity Party of Nigeria, former Nigerian Senator.
• Prof Bunmi Ayoade- Former Dean & Chair of Political Science, Ibadan University , Ibadan .
• Prof Adeniran Adeboye-- Headmaster, Yoruba School, Washington DC, Professor of Maths.
The day will also be a day to formally launch "A HISTORY OF THE YORUBA PEOPLE" written by Prof. Akintoye.
So, fellow Oodua sons and daughters, Be a Part of History. Be prepared to formulate our response to the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which affirms that "Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development".
Kindly indicate your acceptance of this invitation not later than June 30, 2010
Dejo Ogunwande. e-mail: cogunwande@verizon. net OR Tel: 302-838-2840 302-838-2840 Hotel Reservation. Group rate at Hilton Hotel Airport Philadelphia 1800 445 8667 1800 445 8667 Online www.hiltonphiladelp hiaairport. com
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