The Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba (Grand Council of Yoruba Youths) will, on September 23 in Ibadan unveil All Progressives’ Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as ‘African Man of the Century’ at this year’s edition of the Yoruba National Day celebration.
Its President-General, Awa Bamiji, said in a statement that the event, to be chaired by Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Araba of Osogbo and Agba-Awo of Yorubaland, will also seek to sensitise “millions of eligible voters of the Southwest Region” for the next year’s general election coming up between February and March.
The statement was titled: ‘Loud in Ibadan as Yoruba National Day celebration holds this week, featuring Tinubu as African Man of the Century, mega endorsement of three All Progressives’ Congress (APC) governorship candidates and Odu’a award presentation.’
It reads: “The topic of discussion, aseyori idibo to nbo l’ona ni ile odu’a, e gbe kin ni yi wa, awa l’okan, (2023 Yorubaland electoral victory is our turn, bring it forward), to be delivered by former Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Ambassador Sola Iji; former governorship aspirant in Osun State, Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK), and former President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Segun Mayegun.
“The former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, is the chief host, while APC Chairman in Oyo State, Isaac Omodewu, will be the host. Tinubu and Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, APC presidential candidate and leader, Afenifere, will be the special guest of honour and guest of honour respectively.
“Father and Mother of the day are Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Chief Florence Ajimobi, former Governor of Ogun State and wife of former governor of Oyo State.
“This year’s edition of annual celebration of hard work and success in Yorubaland dedicated to Vote Tinubu 2023 will hold on Friday, September 23 inside Banquet Hall of Oyo State APC Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, by 11 am prompt.”
According to the statement, the event will also witness both the endorsement of the three APC Southwest states’ governorship candidates, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Senator Teslim Folarin (Oyo).
“It will also feature the bestowment of the beautifully carved Odu’a Ori Olokun Awards on (1) Tinubu (African Man of the Century, akanda eda ile alawodudu ti a to ogorun odun ki a to ri iru’e).
Eleven others to be bestowed include Daniel (agbomola ti Odu’a), Mrs. Ajimobi (Iya eto ti Ile Odu’a), Princess Bisi Sangodoyin, popular Ibadan-based gender activist/Yoruba self determination activist, who doubles as a key member of Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu-led Yoruba Unity Forum (Iyaniwura Ti Ile Odu’a); Chief Pop Olorogun Adebanjo (eni itan ti ile Odu’a), Chief Adesokan Felix Oni, son of the late Chief T. A. Oni of Oni and Sons Limited (ore ara Ilu), Ogbeni Sunny Ajose, former Head of Service in Lagos State; former Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Lagos State; immediate past Chief of Staff to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and immediate past State Deputy Chairman, APC, Lagos (Awokose Odo Odu’a).
Others are “Prophet Gabriel Evans whose video, while cautioning all the leading and succesful lieutenants of Tinubu to be respectful to their boss’ aspiration, went viral last year, (Akekaka Ki Oloro O Gbo Ti Ile Odu’a), Prophet Joshua Iginla, who predicted Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be devinely made a central figure in 2023 Presidency against all odds since January (Ojise Oluwa Ti Koni Abawon), Alhaji Abiuwa Ahmed, former Senior Special Assistant to the three governors of Lagos State on Energy, 1999 to 2019 plus our two leading Royal Fathers in Yorubaland, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife (Yoruba Symbol of Unity, Amin Isokan Odu’a) and Oba (Dr) Mahood Balogun Alli Okumade II, Olubadan of Ibadanland, (Yoruba Symbol of Unity, Amin Isokan Odu’a).”
It said the bestowment was “in geniune appreciation of their most timely intervention alongside this noble Yoruba Youth Organisation towards achieving peace, unity, and progress among various Yoruba Political Gladiators ahead of the last APC Presidential Primaries which was held at Eagle Square, Abuja; and tolerate only speaking of Yoruba language throughout.
“The maximum security is guaranteed throughout this important event as COVID – 19 Protocols will be strictly adhered to.”