Leader of Ilana Imo Oodua (IOO) Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye, on Friday, said the agitation for a sovereign nation of Yoruba “is an idea whose time has come”.
In a statement signed by Maxwell Adeleye, Communication Secretary of Ilana Oodua, obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, Akintoye expressed his confidence that Yoruba Nation separatists are on their way to freedom.
“My message to the Yoruba people worldwide who are passionate for the country of their own is not to lose hope. I am more than convinced that we are on our way to freedom. Our agitation is an idea whose time has come.
“We shall keep the struggle alive, and beyond the manipulation of the Nigerian government. We won’t allow the Nigerian Government to criminalise our struggle. The Yoruba people worldwide are urged never to be deterred,” Prof. Akintoye said.
Prof. Akintoye who clocked 87 on Friday is an academic, historian and writer.
He taught at the History Department at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and Director of the Institute of African Studies from 1974-1977. He has also taught African History in universities in the United States (US) including the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Montgomery County Community College, PA, and Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania.
