Ayobami Lam-Adesina, first son of the late former governor of Oyo State Lamidi Adesina, has expressed doubt over the sustainability of the proposed Yoruba Nation, hinging his argument on the inability of two states in the geopolitical zone to efficiently manage the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) together.
Lam-Adesina said it was a shameful thing for the two Yoruba-speaking states of Oyo and Osun not to be able to manage the institution together adding that he felt embarrassed when he saw his compatriots jubilating when the two states stopped managing the affairs of LAUTECH together.
“It was a development that made me sad,” he said while featuring on a weekly radio show, ‘Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Lagelu 96.7 FM, Felele Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Tuesday evening.
Continuing, he said: “When my late dad was the governor of Oyo State and Papa Bisi Akande was in the same position in Osun, nobody heard of any fight or uproar over how the university was being run or funded. These were two great statemen, these were two great sons of Yorubaland, these were two great followers of Obafemi Awolowo. They were focused on how to maintain the heritage of the Yoruba nation.
“I can say it here that almost immediately after these two great men stopped being governors of the states, crisis of management erupted in LAUTECH. At the end of the day, the two states stopped running the institution together.
“This is a very bad omen. Those agitating for the emergence of Yoruba Nation need to tread softly and study the situation on ground. The present crop of leaders we have may not be able to sustain the proposed nation.
“Yes, if we move together to form a nation, it will be okay but then, our great leaders, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige and others did so well within the same Nigerian nation. So, why can’t those of us in this generation survive in Nigeria?”
On the state of the country, Lam-Adesina said state governors and local government chairmen have to share the blame with President Muhammadu Buhari.
When asked if he still wishes to become the governor of Oyo State, Lam-Adesina said: “That is not what we should be discussing now. We should be talking about how good governance will be instituted. We should be focused on how poverty and insecurity will be defeated. God, alone knows what will happen in the future.”
