PRESS RELEASE
2009 National Yoruba Youth Convention
The National Yoruba Youth Convention was held at the Plaza Hotel located in Southfield, Michigan USA on the 14th and 15th of August, 2009. It attracted Yoruba Youth and leaders across the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and our home country Nigeria.
Yoruba America Community and Lagos State Governor(Rev. Tunji Adebiyi) Presenting award to YYC President Aare Seyi Ogunlusi
Some of the dignitaries who attended the convention include: Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) represented by Reverend Tunji Adebiyi (Lagos State Special Adviser on Political Matters), Ondo State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko represented by Dr. Ayo Adeniyi , Chief Adeola Odusanya (FRM) President Egbe Omo Yoruba of United States, Mrs. Rachel Akinyemi, President of Yoruba American Community, Asiwaju Temidayo Israel and Balogun Havalanche Temitope Omotayo; Vice Chairman National Council of Yoruba Youth, amongst others.
FMR President Egbe Omo Yoruba Otunba Odusanya presenting award to Rev. Tunji Adebiyi who represented Lagos State Governor
The theme of the convention was "Remembering the Past and Shaping the Future of our Youth." The convention afforded the youth the opportunity of analyzing various challenges facing them with a view to proffering solution to these challenges. The program line-up during the convention included symposia, cultural display, musical performance, talent and fashion shows. The president of Yoruba Youth Corporation (YYC), Seyi Ogunlusi, in his opening remarks admonished the youth and leaders to emulate the leadership style of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo who contributed immensely to the development of Yoruba race, acknowledged that this year's convention was dedicated to Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Fmr President Egbe Omo Yoruba Otunba Odusanya Presenting an award to Asiwaju Temidayo Israel
Mayor Brenda Lawrence of Southfield, the first female African American Mayor elected in Michigan, engaged in interaction session with the attendants. There was also a capacity building section with Asiwaju Dayo Israel. The convention concluded on the 15th August 2009 with dinner and an award ceremony where Yourba Youth and leaders were presented with awards in recognition of their meritorious service to Yoruba land, the recipients are Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Ondo State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, (FMR) Egbe Omo Yoruba president ;Chief Adeola Odunsanya, Asiwaju Temidayo Israel, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Abolore Akande (9ice) of Alapomeji Record, and the Mayor of Southfield Brenda Lawrence.
Cross section of people at the convention
The convention was very educative, entertaining and very inspiring as it provided the Yoruba Youth the opportunity to tap from the wealth of their elders as they pursue their vision in life.
God Bless Nigeria.
God Bless America!
God Bless Yoruba Land.
O�dua a gbe wa o.
COMMUNIQUE
2009 |
NATIONAL YORUBA YOUTH CONVENTION (August 14 & 15, 2009)
The youth agreed on some salient issues aimed at moving the Yoruba race forward.
1. The Yoruba Youth canvassing for true federalism that will make each geo/political zone to develop according to its own pace.
2. Yoruba Youth in Diaspora should be encourage to contribute to socio-economic development of Yoruba land in particular and Nigerian at large through exchange program and field trips.
3. Government should create a conducive atmosphere for the youths who are enterprising to reduce unemployment by empowering them with a view to reducing unemployment rate in Yoruba land.
4. Individuals and cooperate bodies should partner with government in implementing program that are youth oriented, this include provision of education opportunity through bursary awards and scholarships for indigent students, building and rehabilitation of classroom in schools.
5. We appeal to Nigerian Government to be sensitive and be considerate by finding a lasting solution to the frequent strike embarked on by Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities [ASUU] the future of the youths should not be put in jeopardy.
6. Yoruba elders are enjoined to embrace the legacy of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo who contributed immensely to the development of Yoruba race through his people oriented programmes, like free education, free medical treatment , provision of social amenities e.t.c, we believe that these should be the yardstick to select and measure the performance of our leaders.
7. We also call on the governors of Yoruba speaking states to immortalize the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo in their states, on our part the Yoruba Youth Corporation [YYC] North America dedicated this year�s convention to him, we also decided to set up a foundation called OBAFEMI AWOLOWO FOUNDATION that will be providing scholarship and bursary awards to indigent Yoruba students in Nigeria and abroad.
AGBAJO OWO LAAFI SANYA, OWO KAN KO GBERU DORI, E JE KA JO SE.
GOD BLESS YYC
GOD BLESS YORUBA LAND
