I Understand What The Yorubas Want – Obasanjo Says During Meeting With Council Of Elders

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday hosted the leaders of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE).

The meeting took place at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The delegation which was led by Chief Ajibade Oyekan, discussed the growth and development of the South-West region.

Obasanjo, during the meeting, endorsed devolution of powers while also calling for sincerity, unity, decency, diligence, and bluntness on issues.

The former leader stated that education without the required skills for empowerment would not bring the desired result.

“Youths have education but they have no skills. And education without skills in this age and time is nothing”, he said.

On the agitation by Yorubas, the ex-President disclosed that he recently understood that what most of the agitators wanted was devolution of powers.

“When I interviewed 12 persons on their understandings of what restructuring is all about, what I got was different. Some said they want three, four regions.

“Some said they want 12 states. I got to understand that all they were asking for is devolution of powers and this is not too much to ask for.”

The elders included YCE Secretary-General, Chief Dipo Oyewole, Ekerin Osunlabu (Ogun Chairman), Otunba Akindele (National Treasurer), Princess Bamigboye (State Secretary), Elder Dolapo Bakreen, among others.