The Yoruba are empire builders, with many kingdoms and dominions. The empires of Oyo and Benin developed side by side from the dynasty of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba, covering almost the entire southern part of present day Nigeria(subsuming Igboland and a substantial part of the North Central geo-political zone) at one time or the other in their history. We did not evolve from stateless societies populated by half clad, cannibalistic people, abhorrent of authority, respect and reverence. We have built civilisations and cultures revered and celebrated all over the world. Mention Ife or Benin art, Oyo diplomacy and governance, Ifa oracle (Which is regarded by UNESCOs (United Nation Education and Scientific Organisation) as one of the greatest contributions to humanity). We gave the world the talking drum, the looming mill, Aso-oke, Adire, the bata dance, Juju, Apala, Fuji and Afro beat music. In the whole Nigerian geographic space, we were the first to smelt iron, we made fantastic bronze and brass castings, unrivalled and coveted the world over. From our loins, giants like Wole Soyinka (First African black Nobel Lauette) Sunny Ade and Fela Anikulapo Kuti ( and his son, Femi) the first and only Africans to ever be nominated for the Grammy Awards were born) We have produced the best of Nigerian firebrands and protector of the oppressed: Prof. Ayodele Awojobi, Gani Fawehinmi, Hassan Sunmonu, Wahab Goodluck, Dr. Tai Solarin, Beko ransome Kuti. We built the first television station in Africa (WNTV)(including South Africa), the first stadium (Liberty), the tallest building for a long while (Cocoa House). The list is in-exhaustible! Because of this we are evidently more accommodating and tolerant of errant behaviour or unguarded utterances hoping that verbal complaints, chastisement and upbraid would serve as a deterrent and correction. -George Akinola
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 21:23:06 +0000