INSECURITY: Assault, Killing Of Our Famers, Insult To Our Sensibilities As Yoruba – Abatan
•••Commends Makinde Over Commitments To Cultural, Traditional Awareness
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – Deeply concerned about the level of insecurity in the country, especially in the South West zone of the country, the Oyo State Secretary of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Comrade Olusegun Abatan has on Friday condemned the attacks and killings of farmers on their farmlands.
While addressing journalists at the Pensioner’s House located at Onireke, Ibadan, the Capital City of Oyo State, on the importance of the World Egungun Festival held at the Liberty Stadium Ibadan on Thursday, Abatan stressed that the disturbing trend of kidnapping, assault, maiming and killing of our people on their farms, homes and elsewhere by the evil ones is an insult to the sensibilities of the Yoruba who are respected for their spirituality.
Abatan in his words said, “I admonish our traditionalists to take up the gauntlets and drive these marauders from our land using what we have, which is our Culture and Traditions.
“In those days our forefathers have had to bring out “Egungun” when confronted with dire situations.
“Whole communities have been traditionally policed by our forefathers. All these knowledge and powers still abound with us. Let us use them. Ladies and Gentlemen, let us embrace our Culture and Traditions.
“We have been hoodwinked over the demonisation of our culture until we saw a goat being led for sacrifice during the burial of the very late Queen of England sometime last year.
“These are the same people that said our traditions are malevolent and should be abolished, While they keep their own traditions jealously, they advised us to throw our own away.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, many of us have been boxed into the two imported religions without us knowing much about their essence.
“Many leaders and followers of these two religions have had course to seek help from our traditionalists in their closets when things go wrong for them.
“They scorn our traditional worshipers in the daylight but crawl to them at night seeking help! Our culture is still potent, reliable and long lasting.
“Intractable problems such as infertility, delayed delivery of babies, epilepsy etc. have been taken care of using our roots and herbs.
“I also congratulate the organisers of this festival going from the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun and his team.
“In the history of qualitative governance in Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde towered above his peers on all fronts. The recognition of our culture and traditions by the Governor is enlivening.
“In all the 36 States of the Federation it is Engineer Seyi Makinde that has recognised our culture and traditions to the extent that traditional prayers are offered alongside Islamic and Christian prayers at events organized by the government.
“Not only that, public holidays are dedicated to our culture. Aso-Ofi, our traditional clothing is pronounced to be worn on Wednesdays of the week.
“I use this medium to appeal to other Governors in the Federation to emulate His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde in lifting Nigeria’s culture and traditions. Our Culture is not evil.” Abatan said.