The six governors of the states in the South-West
geo-political zone of the country have been called upon to jointly intensify
efforts to keep at bay the menace of religious intolerance and insecurity to
ensure that Yorubaland remain safe for both residents and foreign friends who
may be willing to invest in the part of the country.
This was part of the communique issued at the end
of the first annual Yoruba International Convention held in Dubai, United Arabs
Emirate (UAE), a copy of which was made available to journalists in Ibadan by,
Fehintola Azeez, the Media Aide to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola
Adeyemi 111.
At the gathering organized by Yoruba Global
Coalition, UK and hosted by Yoruba Forum, UAE Alaafin presided as the Patron.
The communique noted that the convention featured
presentation of development programmes by Yoruba intellectuals in the Diaspora
and a group of foreign investors willing to invest in Yorubaland.
While recalling that some foreign investors had
indicated their desire to start an airline, the convention urged the six
governors to collectively approach the Federal Government for an aviation
license for the proposed airline named Oduduwa Airline.
Calling for the initiation of Economic cooperation
between Yorubaland and UAE in general and Dubai in particular, so as to take
advantage of the robust informal trade between Nigeria and the region, the
Convention advocated the opening of Oduduwa Trade Missions in all the major
advanced countries.
Such outlets, the Convention opined would enable
the forging of economic cooperation between such countries and Yorubaland,
adding, “the mission should be jointly promoted by all the six states of
Yorubaland and supervised by the Central Association of Yorubas in such countries.
Oba Adeyemi in his remark, while declaring the
Convention open commended the organizers of the programme and maintained that
the South-West is one of the safest zones in the country because we practice
secularism and it is part of the reasons we have rapid growth and
development.