PAEDIA EXPRESS MULTIMEDIA : IMOLE ODUDUWA………..The Synopsis

IMOLE ODUDUWA………..The Synopsis

THE YORUBA PROJECT: IMOLE ODUDUWA.

INTRODUCTION

We are passionate middle age and young professionals of the Yoruba descent who are highly committed to rebranding, repackaging and refashioning the economic, socio-political ethos of Yoruba race within the ideals, thoughts and ideological tenets of our heroes’/heroines past; though taking into cognizance the contemporary environmental, socio-political and economic variables within the Nigeria nationhood.

There is no doubt about it that, our fathers/mothers have tried in the past towards forging a unified front within the race (e.g The Agbekoya and Afenifere) with a view to expressing the position of importance that the Yoruba nation occupies within the Nigerian Federation. But to a very large extent, such formidable groupings are no more visible mainly due to the fact that most of the leading stars have passed-on to glory, some have aged while some have acrimoniously gone ahead to form splinter groupings. This situation has invariably left a big vacuum within this region that was once regarded as well as respected for its economic cum socio-political sophistication, artistry, ingenuity and sagacity. Consequently, there is lack of appropriate coordination and direction required to effectively maintain as well as showcase the common voice, ideals and socio-political heritage of our race within the Nigerian committee of federating nations.

Hither to, the region has been known to be the first in virtually all developmental pursuits both within the nation and Africa as a whole. For instance, the first television station in Africa (even before France), biggest city in Africa, longest bridge in Africa, first tallest building in West Africa, first higher educational institution in Nigeria, intellectual power house as well as economic nerve center for West Africa among others. These entire outlined heritages are fast fading away which makes it highly imperative for its relics to be picked up, reinvigorated as well as reconceptualise them.

PHILOSOPHY:

The association will envision, propagate and project a Yoruba nation that intends to regain its lost glory through the recognition of the capacity of its people rather than religious or territorial divides; whilst the economic and social-political structures will be built on people that has character, capacity and competence other than socio-political rascality.

GOAL:

Essentially, the association will lay emphasis on massive human capital/youth development while at the same time stimulate and facilitate variables that will promote agriconomy towards improved socio-economic development. Attempts will equally be made towards attracting both national and international investors to the region. All of these will be undertaken with an additional resolve/determination of ensuring and further strengthening the continuity of Nigerian nationhood.

OBJECTIVES:

v Strategic indoctrination and tutelage of our youths with the ideals and historical heritage of our fore fathers as well as the value system of Yoruba nationhood;

v Through an articulately designed process, our youths will be strategically brought to the path of systemic mentoring towards encouraging them to appreciate and embrace education while also preparing them for future leadership roles;

v To organize vocational trainings for our teeming youths in acquiring requisite professional skills which will enhance and enable them to benefit from our youth economic empowerment revolving loans;

v To assist in promoting, supporting and enhancing actualization of women enterprise;

v We shall collaborate with the governments of our region to encourage and facilitate the establishment of modern farm settlements which will provide a sustainable massive employment program to our teeming youth population; this will be in addition with cottage/foundry industries;

v Laying of emphasis on technical education through standardization of the existing technical colleges within the South West region;

v To form a systematic synergy among the Yoruba youths worldwide and finally,

v To facilitate and encourage both national and international investors’ participation in various economic activities which the association will stimulate within the region.

ACTION PLANS:

In the final analysis, the under listed will be achieved:

The group has a target of empowering 1.2million youths within the region annually;
It is in our plan to improve on artisan skills through skill acquisition programmes;
Yoruba youths will additionally be subjected to mentoring towards attitudinal change on societal norms and values;
Development/establishment of comprehensive farm settlements;
Exploring and exposition of tourist potentialities of the region;
Tapping into the industrial abilities and capabilities of our teeming youth population;
Projecting the above as the bedrock of industrial revolution within the region;
Equally annexing & exploiting the available opportunities which the various research institutions can offer to further promote both industrial and agribusiness revolution of the region;
Technologies and products of some of our cottage industries will be improved upon to comply with international standards and best practices with a view to ensure international marketability;
Collaboration with responsible agencies to develop the areas of exploration of abundant natural resources within the region;
The group will ultimately ensure a common voice for the Yoruba nation’s needs and aspirations within the Nigerian Federation.

While trying to achieve the above, a concise step by step effort will be geared to accomplishing our stated objectives through the under listed proceedings:

In the short run of within 3months from now:

Ø Make a list of some Yoruba elders, leaders and obas to be visited while, visiting such dignitaries should also be undertaken simultaneously;

Ø Launching of our organization into prominence through a press release in Nigeria’s major news papers about the organization and it’s objectives as well as a well organized/publicized press conference there after on same subject matter;

Ø We are going to inter face with the governors within the region as well as;

Ø International agencies;

Ø Will embark on series of seminars, workshops, retreats, debates, print/electronic interviews etc;

Ø During the various youth programmes, we will carefully select some of the youths that will be attached to some Yoruba leaders aimed at mentoring for a period of between 3-6weeks; this in addition is to give an expose of the Yoruba communal heritage which says ‘biological parents do not and can not single handedly train a child’;

Ø Visit to some of our vocational industrial areas like where they make aso oke, pottery, marble sites, quarry sites etc with a view to having a first hand information about such pre-occupations towards maximization of operations and marketing;

Within 5months from now:

v From the various interactive sessions, youths will be selected for vocational trainings which could be in form of internship with some of the specialized research institutes within the South West region e.g. IITA Ibadan, Cereal research institute Ibadan, FIIRO, NIHORT etc as well as export clinic with Nigeria Export Promotion Council;

v Capital mobilization of these youths to be productive on their selected vocation;

v Organizing our market women for symposium and workshops on marketing, customer service relations, enhancing profitability, investment opportunities, both internal & international market exposure as well as building savings patterns;

v Coordinating these women into various societies that will enable them to access some local and international trading facilities which will eventually promote their trades;

v Setting up of committee on the celebration of 1^st ever ‘Odun Omo Oduduwa’;

v Planning towards organizing Imole Oduduwa Sports’ Festival especially in football, Lawn Tennis and Athletics; with the intension of sending some distinctive athletes abroad for training as discussed;

v Improving standard of education through holistic approach as discussed;

v Stimulating attractive investment opportunities coupled with industrialization activation as discussed;

v Through the embassies, contact and woo some international investors to come and engage in industrial activities within the region and many others that will be added there after.

Conclusively, as a people, we should not doubt our abilities and capabilities. ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has; therefore, rather than us cursing the darkness, we should better light the candle; we should not wait for our future instead, let us build our intents to structure it; swimming to meet our ship instead of waiting for it at the shore.

It is now our challenge; let us rise to it NOW.

My whole life has been dedicated to the service of my country****-George

Washington to James McHenry, July 04, 1798.

So, why not you and I also to our dear father land …if you think you can,