Don’t politicise Moremi, don tells Ooni, Olugbo

A Professor of Humanities from the University of Texas, Austin in the United States of America, Prof. Toyin Falola, has urged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; and the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, not to allow the historical issue of Moremi to cause disaffection between them.

He warned the two kings not to politicise the Moremi matter, but should rather let the academic tackle the historical issue.

Falola stated this in a keynote address he delivered at a conference in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State on Tuesday.

The theme of the conference was ‘Community, Trade and Religion in Coastal Yoruba land.’

Prof. Fasola said, “I will write to the two monarchs; they should leave politics out of this matter (Moremi). They should leave the matter for the academics.”

He decried the low level of socio-economic development of Yoruba coastal communities despite their abundant natural resources, compared to other parts of the country.

Other speakers at the conference however warned that for the situation in Yoruba land to improve, government at all levels must pay attention to education, job creation and provision of basic amenities such as good roads, potable water and health facilities for the people of the coastal communities.

In his remarks, the institution’s Provost, Prof. Olukoya Ogen, said the conference was organised as part of his administration’s efforts to promote intellectual development and enhance human capacity.

Some of the scholars who presented papers at the conference include former Vice-Chancellor, Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo, Prof. Tola Badejo; Dr. Binta Julia from Oxford University; Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, Prof. Oladipo Olusola Olubomehin, and Dr. Adeyemi-Suenu Adebowale, among others.