YEWA UNION (LAGOS CHAPTER) LECTURE SERIES II

1. YEWA UNION (LAGOS CHAPTER)LECTURE SERIES II THEME 2015: OGUN STATE POLITICS- WITHER YEWA Prof. Tope Popoola MNIM

2. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

3. WORDS ON THE MARBLE • In Ogun state there is no doubt that Yewaland had been cheated in terms of ascendant to the position of government. In the past it might be due to our own fault or lack of aggressiveness but I think things have changed. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

4. SEN.(PROF) AfolabiOlabimtan • ‘I have learnt from elections that no Egbado man can win governorship race unless there is a solid and firm agreement or understanding in Ogun state that the governorship should rotate ‘– Egbado News Vol. 3(1)Jan, Feb 1994 p.22. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

5. Egbado’s hope in producing a governor in the state rests on introduction of a rotational agreement. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

6. An average Yewa man is known to be loyal, honest, industrious, Egbado’s are seen as not pushful if anybody/govt. is able to identify an Egbado man and decide to make use of him, he will ever be grateful. Senator (Prof) AfolabiOlabimtan 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

7. On Sincerity Sen. IyaboAnisulowo You see, the politics that our elders are playing for now in Yewaland will not take us anywhere it is politics of chop chop and this cannot take us anywhere 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

8. Anisulowo • In Yewa, there are many illiterates, our poverty is too much. Everywhere in Yewaland, you can see it in the air – Yewa news Vo. 4 No. 6 p.18 • Most Egbados have inferiority complex and do not have the where withal to face Egba or Ijebu. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

9. In 1991, we tried at that time we could not achieve much because there was no leader – HRM Olu of Imasayi Yewa News 4(8) 2001 p.29. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

10. Dcn. IyaboApampa Yewa’s have been loyal to the Remos, Ijebus and Egbas. This is the time to give us a chance – IyaboApampa Yewa New, 4(8) p. 22 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

11. Senator F. KOLA BAJOMO • On minority While it is true that we do not have minority problem in Ogun state, what we have is im- balance state structures that affect and create minority problems in some areas of the state. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

12. There must be unity, so that we can have a solid base to stand for politics and election. If you have been following the politics of Ogun state from creation of the state you would have found out that what prevents Ogun West from taking leadership position was lack of UNITY among Ogun West people Chief TunjiOlurin President Conference of Yewa Elders 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

13. “We have tried in the past, we will keep on trying, but we need to be more focussed and more united” • (Pers. Comm. 2011) 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

14. MRS EBUN OYAGBOLA You know politics is a very dirty game because it is a game of numbers a game you cannot be sure of even your closest allies at particular point in time. ++++++++++++++++++++ • I think our politicians must always be there to fight at the party level. • It is the political party that will determine who the governorship candidates are, I think Yewa politicians must be alive to their responsibilities because if they really belong to these political parties, they should make sure that when policies are made we are considered. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

15. More from EbunAkinolaOyagbola • Our politicians must be ready and courageous enough to claim their right. They should not be individual politician _____________________ • We should come together because it is in unity that we excel – EbunAkinola-Oyagbola, Yewa News 4(8) 2005 pg. 30. • Yewa politicians must come together for the interest of Yewaland speak with one voice, stand together and they must not be divided by outsiders or be influenced by money. In 1991, 1992, Yewa politicians were bought off. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

16. ? 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa 2015: OGUN STATE POLITICS-WITHER YEWA

17. YEWA • The origin and development of Yewa (formerly Egbado), history is linked to and greatly influenced by the history of Ile-Ife and Oyo- the cradle of Yoruba people. • A lot have been written & documented by Samuel Johnson and Prof. Anthony Asiwaju – both are authorities on Yoruba and Yewa History respectively. They both described Yewa as a sub-ethnic group of Western-Yorubaland. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

18. Today, the Yewa people are mainly located on the western part of Ogun State, Nigeria. They comprise • the Ketu’s, • the Sabe, • the Ohori’s, • Ifoyin, • Anago’s, • Eyo’s • Egun’s … etc. • Essentially, the settlement of Yewa were as a result of independent migrations of the founders and their entourage. A pattern which led to Yewaland being populated by independent kingdoms and chiefdoms made up of diverse ethnic and sub-ethnic groups – which appear to be monolithic because of inter-marriage and similar traditional and cultural backgrounds. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

19. Yewa’s are mainly located in the Ado-odo/Ota Local Government; Ipokia Local Government, Yewa South Local Government, Yewa North Local Government, Imeko-Afon Local Government and Abeokuta North Local Government of Ogun State. • In 1985, the people formerly resolved to change their name from Egbado to Yewa. The Change of name was motivated by: • 1. The need to tackle identity problem. • 2. More significantly the self determination of the entire people who share cultural and geographical affinity over the Yewa River to explore new grounds for Unity and Progress: for the purpose of development. • We may need to ask ourselves if the objectives are being realized? 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

20. THE YEWA MAN Positive Negative • Honest • Industrious • Kind • Hardworking • Not pushful enough • Timid • Complacent • Easily manipulated 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

21. SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION • Socio-economic situation is in a Very very POOR • Problems are of various magnitude and dimensions • Problems are majorly linked with political situation - Politics is about struggle for power. - Politics is about competition - politics is about struggle for resources. - Politics is about selfless service. - Politics brings development but the question is ……………. Have we been fairing well as a people?. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

22. YEWA IN OGUN STATE POLITICS • State created 38 years ago • For administrative convenience managed along the old structure viz: • Egba • Yewa • Ijebu • Remo 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

23. However, more recently, the 3 senatorial districts became the reference point i.e. • Ogun East (Comprising of Ijebu and Remo Divisions) • Ogun West (Comprising of Yewa Awori) and • Ogun Central (majorly comprising of the Egba’s) as major components of governance in the state. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

24. It is an open secret that since the creation of Ogun state, its governance have been a political compromise as management of its affairs have been a political compromise as management of its affairs have been a clever game of maneuvering and sectional balancing of the Egba’s (Central) and Ijebu’s (East). • Successive administrations in Ogun state have cleverly marginalized the people of Ogun West in the governance of the state and distribution of state infrastructure. It a common belief that our inability to occupy the exalted position is largely responsible for the terrible state of infrastructure in Yewaland. • But the question is Why is this so? 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

25. The journey of leadership so far 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

26. Problems of the past • Multiple candidatures • Our inability to speak with one voice • Politics of intolerance and bitterness • Political maneuvering for selfish and personal interests • -Inadequate awareness • -Lack of effective political leadership • -Lack of strategic political thinkers who can provide guides and directions • -Not getting the right people into positions/empowerment -Inability to harness available human and material resources to achieve our goals • -Insincerity of our political leaders • -Politics of exclusion • -Very poor approach to crisis management • -Putting our eggs in one basket • -Finance • -Irreparable and irredeemable divisions among the political class 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

27. It is no longer news that in the thirty eight (38) years history of Ogun state, the people of Yewa Awori are the only major division or ethnic group in the state that has never produced the Executive Governor of the state. It is also a statement of fact that Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State is the least developed district of all the three senatorial districts of Ogun state. We equally know that the least number of five Local Government Areas in Ogun West Senatorial District is at great variance with our strength in population and land area. It is equally on records that many members of our political class in Yewa Awori land have collaborated extensively as willing tools in mortgaging our past opportunities of clinching that exalted position of number one citizen in the state. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

28. Well, our interest today is not in tale telling or casting aspersions on those who consciously or unconsciously contributed to our political misfortunes in Yewa Aworiland. What is essentially important now is how to learn from the mistakes of our past political history and harness our present opportunities in the state to ensure that come the next available opportunity, we the people of Yewa Aworiland will produce the number one citizen of the state. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

29. GETTING THERE / THE WAY FORWARD • Lessons of the past • Building bridges • Fairness, equity & justice • Delineation • Leadership • Conflict resolution • Awareness • Swot analysis 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

30. Population and Delineation Facts 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

31. Excellence 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

32. TODAY • TOMORROW • WHICH WAY 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

33. TODAY • SIA • Elected for 4 years • Term to end May 2015 • Embarked on laudable projects of with Mission to Rebuild Agenda • Interested in 2nd Term? • Vacancy at OkeMosan in 2015? 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

34. Whoever has what it takes to slug it out with the incumbent should not be discouraged. If we have been waiting for God’s time; perhaps God’s time is now. Afterall oju orun to eiye fo o, lai fi ara kan ara. Who knows .. the story of “Otedola” in Lagos State and Iyowu awi t’oluwa lase in Ogun State are examples of the benefits of courage and doggedness. • Therefore, we will not give up easily. We shall keep on trying. Someday, God will grant our hearts desire. However, we need to tread with caution so that we will not become a laughing stock! 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

35. Just before I go A quick reminder 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

36. For action • Restructuring and delineation related matters • Leadership • The need to purge ourselves of negative attributes associated with us as a people 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

37. CONCLUSION • Yewaland is in desperate need of a far reaching political and socio-economic transformation. • This is achievable if we are all determined. 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

38. Yes ke! 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa

39. THANK YOU FOR OUR KIND ATTENTION THANK YOU 2015: Ogun State Politics-Whither Yewa