The Oyo State coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) New Era, Comrade Rotimi Olumo, has urged Yoruba leaders and traditional rulers not to neglect Yoruba culture and traditions, describing them as among the best in Africa.
Olumo made the call during the celebration of the Ogun Ajobo festival organised by the Ibadan North Local Government chapter of the OPC New Era at Inalende, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He said God had blessed Yorubaland beyond doubt, stressing that this was why Yoruba culture and traditions must be preserved and celebrated. According to him, neglect of cultural values has contributed to setbacks for the Yoruba race.
Olumo explained that the Ogun Ajobo festival was organised to appease the gods and ancestors, with the aim of cleansing, purifying and protecting Yorubaland from evil forces.
“We need the assistance of our ancestors to secure Yorubaland,” he said, adding that the programme was also meant to attract both physical and spiritual blessings from forefathers.
Speaking on security, Olumo said the OPC was established to protect Yorubaland and defend the rights of the Yoruba people. He claimed he had raised concerns about banditry as far back as seven years ago but that neither government nor traditional rulers paid attention at the time.
“It is now obvious that Yorubaland is their target, and OPC will do everything possible to resist them,” he said.
He also urged OPC members not to relent in defending their land and appealed to members of the public to provide useful and timely information to the OPC and other security agencies whenever they noticed suspicious movements or activities in their communities.
In his remarks, the Ibadan North Local Government chairman of OPC New Era, Comrade Tope Ashaolu, popularly known as Terror, thanked the national president of the organisation, Comrade Razak Arogundade (Sadam), the Oyo State coordinator, Comrade Rotimi Olumo, and other leaders for honouring the event.
Ashaolu also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his transformation agenda, which he said was aimed at alleviating the suffering of Nigerians.