THE Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), the umbrella body for all Yoruba sons and daughters, has moved against possible incursion of the dreaded Boko Haram sect into the South-West region of the country.

Rising from its general meeting, on Thursday, at the Efunyela Hall, in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, the forum bemoaned the state of insecurity across the country in general and Yorubaland in particular.

The meeting, in a seven-paragraph communique jointly signed by its coordinators, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and Senator Femi Okurounmu, noted that efforts should be put in place to ensure that the zone was not caught unawares.

"The meeting examined seriously the security situation in Yorubaland, the possibility of Boko Haram incursion into the zone and took proactive steps to ensure the zone is not caught unprepared," the communique stated.

The meeting also promised to find means of bringing prominent sons and daughters of the Yoruba nation, who have not identified with the mission of the forum to the fold.

The meeting, held under the leadership of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, had in attendance, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu (retd); deputy governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Alli Onanusi; former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; former deputy governor, Lagos State, Chief (Mrs) Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladipo Afolabi.

Others are, former judge of the Court of Hague, Prince Bola Ajibola; former National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa; former Minister of Health, Professor Adenike Grange; Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Anisulowo and traditional rulers from Osun State,  among others.

The meeting also endorsed and ratified the report on the visit of the forum's delegation to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while the draft constitution of the Southern Nigeria People's Assembly was distributed to members.

The communique reads in part: "The meeting was convened primarily to report on the visit of the forum's delegation from South-South and the South-East and where they jointly set up the Southern Nigeria People's Assembly.

"The meeting unanimously endorsed the report of the Uyo meeting and ratified the decision of the meeting.

"The draft constitution of the Southern Nigeria People's Assembly was distributed to members for detailed study and comments , along with the earlier distributed draft of the contribution of the Yoruba Unity Forum. These constitutions will be ratified at the future meetings after accommodating the various submissions and comments on them."

Earlier in a welcome address, the convener, Chief (Mrs) Awolowo, stressed that the unity of the Yoruba nation was necessary for the progress and development of the race in all spheres, adding that the security of the zone is a joint responsibility.

“Without mincing words, the insecurity in the nation horrifies an average Nigerian. When you go in and out of your home, it is apprehension about widespread insecurity that ceases your heart.

“A lot of bombings go on unabated in the northern part of the country and we pray it will not get to the South-West here. This is why we called this meeting. The Yoruba must unite against this terrible trend of insecurity. It is a collective responsibility,” she said.

Just as deliberations on the spreading activities of the Boko Haram sect began, a cleric in attendance, Reverend (Dr) Justus Latunji, intimated the gathering to what he said was a revelation from God that the deadly sect had perfected plans to strike in the South-West in October.

The cleric charged the six governors in the region to beef up security in their states, while urging the residents and the people of the region to pray fervently to avert the spread of the bombings and killings to the region.

However, the national coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, who attended the meeting, allayed the fear of Boko Haram striking in the region.

“This is a public gathering and we do not want to reveal our strategies here. But we can assure you that the South-West is impregnable for Boko Haram. Those of you who are elders will recall that the Yoruba people, in history, were never overrun in any battle. OPC is battle-ready for Boko Haram.

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