The Yoruba Self Determination Group Ilana Omo Oodua,has elected new interim executive which is being led by Prof.Banji Akintoye.
The Ilana Omo Oodua Interim Executive Council were elected on the 1st of November 2022, at the Worldwide Congress, held at the Ilana Worldwide Secretariat in Ibadan.
The development came as the new officers of the group congratulated,Chief ( Dr) Sunday Adeyemo on the conferment of a honorary doctorate degree in War/Conflict and Peace Management by Triune Biblical University, USA.
The chairman of the occasion, chief Jimoh Olawale Taofeek,in a statement,said the new Interim Executive have been mandated to serve a period of about twomonths during which period they are to review the Constitution of the organisation, correct some other anomalies within the organisation and organise a befitting election to swear in permanent elected officers according to the newly reviewed Constitution as demanded for by members at the just concluded Congress .
He expressed that the occurrence and the unusual coincidence of the two celebrations; one in Cotonou and the other in Ibadan, Nigeria on the same day is a sign of good omen to the Yoruba nation.
He said:”It is worthy to note that the acting Executive Council of the organisation known as Ilana Interim Management Committee (IIMC) comprising of Chief Jimoh Olawale Taofeek, Barr. (Dr) Adekunle Adekunjo, Pastor Ayodele Praise and Barr. Funmi Soyemi as Chairman; all being people of honour and integrity and who have a respect for law had resolved not to stay in office beyond the time schedule given to them. Hence they were eager to hand over to a newly elected interim executive.
“However, the initial Electoral Committee that was mandated to act in tandem with the IIMC acted in an unethical manner contrary to the statutory norms and standards of an electoral process resulting in gross irregularities in the election they conducted, on October 15; 2022. This shady election was nullified by the congress in the sense that it was unjust, unconstitutional, undemocratic, neither was it transparent, free, fair or credible. This necessitated it being cancelled and rendered as null and void and of no consequence by members and a demand by them for a Congress at the Secretariat of the ILANA OMO OODUA (IOO) Organisation to organise a new election.
“Ilana Omo Oodua being the foremost Yoruba Self Determination Group must lead by good example hence the first fraudulent election carried out by the electoral committee was rendered invalid by the ongress. As a result of this nullification, a new interim executive council was constituted by the congress”
Other interim exco members include;National Chairman Homeland, Princess Tanimowo Okusaga;General Secretary, Chief Kunle Adelakun Eruobodo;
Public Relations Officer; Mr. M. Akinwale,Legal Adviser; Barr. Gbola Adebiyi,Publicity Secretary;Mr.Kayode Akintoye,Financial Secretary;Mrs. Bisola Adeniyan,Treasurer Mr. Jare Oyekale and Welfare Secretary,Dr. Wunmi Babalola Okocha .
Others are;Women Leader,Madam Khadijat Taiwo (Mama Jagun); Language & Culture Secretary; Iyalode Titilayo Ajoke,Mrs Modupe Ehiboy;Empowerment and Initiative Officer, Administrative Secretary; Mr. Damilare Ilesanmi ;Organizing Secretary Mr. Adigun Makanjuola ;Youth Leader – Mr. Mojeed Sulaiman;Chief Awoyemi Adebisi Awofemi (Traditional Religion Representative);Sheik Abdulraheem Aduranigba (Islamic Religion Representative) and Bishop Fredrick Oyemade Macaulay. (Christian Religion Representative)
