Obafemi Awolowo University Faces Backlash Over Non-Release Of ‘Oduduwa Hall’ For Yoruba National Unity Day

The Yoruba National Youths have condemned the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) over its decision to cancel the use of the institution’s Oduduwa Hall for the upcoming Yoruba National Unity Day.
The event, scheduled to commemorate the historic Kiriji war, faced abrupt cancellation just 24 hours before it was set to occur, leaving the youth in disbelief.
In a statement released by the Yoruba National Youth Leader Diaspora, Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa, and Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole, the youths condemned the Vice Chancellor’s actions as “uncalled for” and indicative of a broader disregard for the cultural advancement of the Yoruba people.
They expressed disbelief at the management’s refusal to support an event commemorating the Kiriji War, a pivotal moment in Yoruba history.
The leaders noted that the hall, built with funds from the former Western Government, should serve as a bastion for Yoruba cultural celebrations rather than a site of rejection.
“This action is uncalled for,” the youth leaders asserted and criticised the Vice Chancellor for not providing a valid explanation for the cancellation.
“It is a clear indication that the university’s authority is opposed to the progress and unity of Yorubaland.”
The youth accused the authorities of being complicit in undermining the aspirations of Yoruba youths and claimed his actions align with the interests of those they consider enemies of the Yoruba people.
They vowed to take action to reclaim their cultural inheritance and ensure that such cancellations do not occur again.
The statement read, “There is no doubt that the antics of Professor Adebayo Simon Bamire and his team have been exposed. We use this opportunity to inform the Nigerian Government that we remain determined to exit Nigeria as it is obvious the Nigerian government used the university authority to try to disrupt a landmark celebration in Yoruba land.”
“Now we have been vindicated that someone somewhere is sacrificing the precious blood of the Yoruba men and women, youths and children on the altar of politics for political power at all cost,” they said.
It said, “We hereby, in very strong terms, condemn the refusal of the institution’s management led by Professor Adebayo Simon Bamire not to allow the use of Oduduwa Hall for the occasion and that the association of Yorubas with Nigeria is at an end.”
However, the Yoruba National Unity Day celebration, later held at an event hall within Ile Ife, witnessed a large turnout of people from the South West, Edo, Kwara, Kogi and Delta States.
In his address, renowned historian and leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Movement (YSDM), Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye, said, “There is no going back on Yoruba Nation autonomy.”
According to him, the Yoruba people are in dire need of their own country out of present Nigeria, saying that a lot of harm has been done to Yorubaland, and we desire to commence this process of self-determination now.
“We Yoruba people want our independent and sovereign country as soon as possible. We reject any arrangement that would subject us to continued membership of Nigeria,” he said.
Prof Akintoye commended the organisers of this year’s Yoruba National Unity Day events, both at Ibadan and Ile Ife, noting that Yoruba people are very special in their own way of life.