TERRORISM: ALAAFIN URGES US, WORLD POWERS NOT TO ABANDON NIGERIA

… Lauds America for identifying with Yoruba language, culture

  The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi  Olayiwola  Adeyemi III, has appealed to the United States of America and other world powers not to abandon Nigeria in the ongoing war against insurgency, saying they should re-dedicate themselves to the task of nipping in the bud, a global monster called terrorism.   He commended the United States of America for its diplomatic sagacity on global peace initiatives and enthronement of hope for the teeming hopeless.
Speaking in Lagos at a reception organised in his honour by the US Consular General,  Jeffrey Hawkins and his family, Oba Adeyemi stated that it was only in an atmosphere of mutual co-existence, unity and understanding that initiatives towards socio-economic and political development could have meaningful impact on the defenceless citizens.

Assessing the role of the United States in the global economy and its evolution over time, the paramount ruler noted that its influence on other economies remained larger than direct   trade ties would suggest.

He was particularly delighted that the US identified with Yoruba language and tradition to the extent that no fewer than 26 universities across the country were teaching the local language, adding that Americans also came to the Yoruba Study Centre, University of Ibadan in Nigeria to study it.

“Not only that, in North Carolina, there are Yoruba-Americans with tribal marks, who traced their roots to Oyo. Their monarchs are Yoruba and speak Yoruba fluently. It is not an over-statement that today, Americans use talking drums to pass messages across and even make meaningful proverbs. They have become part and parcel of Yoruba culture and traditions. What we fail to cherish at home is receiving resounding attention and interests of foreigners,” he said.

Recalling his long relationship with the US, Oba Adeyemi said in 1998 when he travelled to Dallas and Los Angeles, he visited the chambers of commerce where they asked what assistance could be rendered to him and Nigeria.

“I told the business forum that Nigeria lacks medical facilities for effective healthcare. They gave me the needed facilities worth $5 million, including free duty waivers. Unfortunately, due to political vendetta, the US gestures did not see the light of the day, as all efforts were thwarted and frustrated,” the monarch said.

While thanking the consular general and the entire staff of the embassy for the honour done him, Alaafin stressed the need for continued economic, political and cultural relationships between the two countries for the overall well-being of the citizens.

Responding, the US consular general thanked the Alaafin for honouring the invitation and enjoined traditional rulers to remain steadfast in the task of unity and peaceful co-existence of the country, adding that as representatives of the people, they remained a rallying point for stability