By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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The President-General of the Yoruba World Congress (YWC) Professor Banji Akintoye has said that everything would be done to ensure the liberation of the race from the current challenges of under-development and insecurity pervading the land.
The emeritus professor of history noted that all sons and daughters from Yoruba land must bring heads together and be united in one accord for the region to take its rightful place and ensure its freedom from the shackles of backwardness in the country, reiterating, ” Democracy began from the cradle of the Yoruba.”
The second republic senator spoke on Tuesday in Okemesi, Ekiti South West Local government area of Ekiti state during the commemoration of the 134th anniversary end of Kiriji war and 2020 Yoruba National Day celebration organised by YWC.
The historic event saw prayers and libations for progress for the region at the war memorial spot and the release of peace doves and balloons.
The Kiriji War, also known as the Ekiti-Parapo War, was a 16-year long civil war between the Yoruba people where all the sub-ethnic groups either supported the Ibadan or the Ekiti. The war came to an end on 23rd September 1886 with the signing of the peace treaty in Okemesi which marks the beginning of unification of Yoruba Land as one.
Speaking through the Ekiti state Coordinator of YWC, Mr Praise Ayodele, Akintoye maintained that the historic event was organised to help in discovering and promoting the history of Yoruba after 134 years and use same to enhance unity among its residents for the ultimate goal of achieving the desired liberation for the people of the region.
On their parts, the traditional ruler who graced the events, Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji ; the Olojudo of Ido-Faboro, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro and the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole lamented the spate of insecurity in the region, saying the current political arrangement has failed the people, advocating the unity and cooperation of residents to overcome the numerous challenges pervading the land.
The traditional rulers called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to allow the restructuring of the country, where the country will be broken into autonomous federations that will enhance massive equitable distribution of resources and guarantee maximum security.