A Professor of Humanities from the University of Texas, United States of America, Prof. Toyin Falola, has called on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, not to allow the historical issue of Moremi to cause disaffection between them.
He said the two monarchs should not politicise the place of Moremi in Yoruba history, adding that academics should be allowed to debate her historical role.
Falola stated this in his keynote address delivered during a conference held at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State.
“I will write to the two monarchs. They should leave politics out of this matter (Moremi). They should leave the matter for the academics.”The theme of the conference was ‘Community, trade and religion in coastal Yoruba land.’
He decried the low level of socio-economic development of Yoruba coastal communities in spite of abundant natural resources in the region when compared with other parts of the country.
Other participants who spoke at the conference however noted that for the situation in Yorubaland to improve, there was the need for the government at all levels to pay more attention to the provision of education, employment and basic amenities such as good roads, potable water and health facilities for the people of the coastal communities.
In his remarks, the Provost of the college, Prof. Olukoya Ogen, stated that the conference was organised as part of efforts by his administration to promote intellectual development and enhance human capacity in the institution.
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