By Dapo Akinrefon

The Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), set up to offer Yoruba people in the Diaspora a platform to promote the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race and unity, stormed the United Kingdom and other major European nations recently. Expectedly, the launch availed Yoruba resident in the UK, Holland, France and Germany the opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

The setting was the largest gathering of Yoruba sons and daughters across the United Kingdom in recent time. For weeks before the final day, words went round that the Yoruba were finally getting their own organization to represent their interest, culturally and socially across Europe.

And so, it was with pomp and pageantry that the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) was launched in the UK on Saturday September 7, 2013, the first leg of an epoch-making event that was to hold later across Europe- Holland, France and Germany.

Once again, the Yoruba were finding their voice, which for a long time seemed lost in the jungle. The launch was part of efforts to provide a unifying platform for Yoruba in the Diaspora to forge a common and uphold their cultural heritage.

Starting with the UK, the OPU fever soon spread to Holland, then France and Germany. At each stop, the OPU announced its presence with loud ovations, as Yoruba sons and daughters joined hands to forge a common front.

Expectedly, the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba race was on display as people turned out in well-ironed traditional attires, laced with rich beads. The venue, Unit 9-14, Nice Business Park, Sylan Grove, London, was literally turned into a Yoruba town, at least for the programme lasted. Seeing the huge turn-out of the children of Oduduwa and the bright, colourful attires on display, one of the dignitaries simply blurted out loud to himself: “If you are not here today, then you’re not Yoruba.”

And for good reason, he was right. At the head of the high profile of dignitaries from Nigeria was the Convener of OPU, Otunba Gani Adams, who also doubles as the Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation and The National Coordinator of OPC.

With him were several first class monarchs from across Yoruba land. They include Oba Kolawole Aremu Sowemimo, Olu of Owode-Egba; Oba Mukaila Salako; Oba Michael Ayinde Oderinde, Olu of Sawonjo; Oba E. Olanuloye, Olu of Igbogila; Oba Mukaila Salako, Adokun of Iganokoto; Oba Patrick Fasinu, Olowo of Owo and Oba Adeogun Ogunbona, Alagbore of Igbore.

Other dignitaries include Arc. Mobolaji  Falase, President, Yoruba Council of Elders, Europe and USA and Councillor Adedamola Aminu, Deputy Mayor of Lambert Council, Dr Dapo Williams, Mr kayode Ogundamisi, Captain Olatokunbo Adeshina, Prince Adedapo Adesanmi, Chief Yinka Quadri and Alhaji Musiliu Akinsaya among several others.

In his keynote address, the convener of the group, Otunba Gani Adams, said he was particularly happy to witness the launch of the OPU in the UK. While urging Yoruba living in the UK to see themselves as one big family, he reminded them of the importance of upholding the good name of their progenitor, Oduduwa, at all times.

Otunba Adams said: “I am particularly happy today because God, in His infinite mercy, has made it possible for all of us to be part of history today. Many people would have loved to witness this epoch-making event. But they are not able to do so due to one reason or the other. So for us gathered here, the formal launching of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in the UK is indeed a unique opportunity.

“The formation of the OPU is significant in two ways: First, it will serve as a platform for all Yoruba sons and daughters in the UK to contribute their own quotas to the development of our fatherland. In others words, from today, the Yoruba people all over the world will hope to tap from the abundance human resources available in all of you, hoping that you would collectively rise in defence of any member who faces injustice or needs assistance of any form.

“Secondly, the union is coming at a time when major events all over the world point to dangerous directions that demand you to clearly identity with your root to be able to survive the potential dangers. Don’t forget that racism is still with us as it was in those days of our forefathers and slave trade. “Tribalism has continued to assume an alarming dimension in the modern world. And in recent time, religious bigotry seems to have joined the axis.

“It was here in the UK that our illustrious son, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, along other sons of Oodua, formed the Egbe omo Oodua in 1945. You will recollect that it was that same group that formed the base of the political party that would later rescue the Yoruba and established us as the most enlightened and advanced race in Nigeria.

“Today, once more we are taking another giant step towards the further emancipation of our people with the launching of OPU. With this group, we are offering all sons and daughters of Oodua in the UK a platform to contribute their quota to the development of our fatherland.”

The highly-inspiring speech set the pace for what was to follow, and making the night one that would not be forgotten in a long time by the Yoruba community in the UK. And the comperes for the night, the duo of Alariwo and Abike Ade, sure know how to wow the large crowd with rib-cracking jokes, delivered in rich Yoruba language.

In his speech, the Deputy Mayor of Lambeth Council, London, Mr Adedamola Aminu, tasked Yoruba on the need to unite and form a strong force. Following in his tracks, Dr. Dapo Williams, who spoke on the topic: ‘Yoruba Nation in the 21st century: Our relevance in the socio-political development of Nigeria’, demanded a more robust and focused participation by Yoruba in the politics of the nation.

In his welcome address, OPU Coordinator, UK Chapter, Otunba Wale Harrison, was full of praise of the convener of the group, Otunba Gani Adams, for having the foresight for the formation of the OPU.

The night had all the flavors you can ever get at such gathering by Yoruba sons and daughters. On hand to bring out the flavor were the duo of afro-juju music maestro, Sir Shina Peters, and Fuji act, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma.

From the UK, the OPU train moved to Holland on Saturday September 14, when that country’s chapter was launched.

Welcoming the guests, the Coordinator, OPU, Holland Chapter, Akogun Banji Ojo, said the group is putting plans together to establish a befitting Heritage House in Amsterdam. He promised that the OPU will ensure that the rich and enviable culture and history of the Yoruba is not relegated to the background.

In her address, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Holland, Ambassador Nimota Akanbi, the Special guest of honour at the event, called on Nigerians resident in the Netherlands to stay away from crime and protect the good image of Nigeria in whatever they do.

The Royal Father of the day, HRM Oba Yisa Olanipekun, Zaki of Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State, while praying for the success of Yoruba in the Diaspora, urged OPU members to always ‘remember the son of whom you are’.