YORUBA COUNCIL WORLDWIDE ENDORSES PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR SECOND TERM

By Olayiwiola Ibrahim // The Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW) has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, expressing confidence in his leadership and the long-term impact of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The endorsement was announced during a press conference held at the historic Ooni’s Palace on Wednesday, where the President of the Council, Aare Hassan Olodotun, addressed journalists and stakeholders.

According to Hassan, the decision followed extensive consultations among members of the global Yoruba community, who assessed the administration’s performance across critical sectors.

He noted that President Tinubu has demonstrated visionary leadership and democratic commitment in steering Nigeria through a challenging socio-economic landscape.

The Council particularly highlighted ongoing reforms in the areas of national security, economic restructuring, education, healthcare delivery, and social integration.

While acknowledging the scale of Nigeria’s challenges, Hassan emphasized that the Tinubu administration has shown both the capacity and political will to address them.

We have found in President Tinubu a leader with courage, experience, and a clear roadmap for national development.

His Renewed Hope Agenda reflects a comprehensive approach to rebuilding the economy, strengthening institutions, and fostering unity across diverse groups,” he said.

He further pointed to fiscal and policy reforms initiated by the administration, describing them as necessary steps toward stabilizing the economy and attracting investment, even though they may require short-term sacrifices from citizens.

The endorsement event also formed part of activities marking the anniversary of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, alongside celebrations of the Omoluabi Festival in Ile-Ife.

The gathering is expected to bring together prominent sons and daughters of the Yoruba nation, reinforcing cultural values and communal identity.

Expanding on the broader message of unity, Hassan called on Nigerians to look beyond ethnic divisions, political altercations, and what he described as unnecessary blackmail, urging citizens to view the 2027 general elections not as a contest of conflict but as a defining moment for national reflection and collective progress.

To have a country we can truly call our own, Nigerians must rise above division.

The 2027 election should not be an election of war, but a rallying point to assess where we are as a nation and the kind of future we want to build together,” he stated.

He stressed that peace and coexistence remain central to the Yoruba identity, noting that the Omoluabi ethos anchored on integrity, resilience, and mutual respect should guide political engagement across the country.

Hassan also linked the message of unity to the forthcoming Omoluabi annual anniversary and his installation as Sooko Agoriesin of Ile-Ife by the Ooni, describing the festival as a symbol of peace and inclusivity.

“The Omoluabi culture represents the epitome of peace.

It is not about war, destruction, or violence, but about integrity, hard work, and respect for one another, regardless of religion or background.

Whether Christian or Muslim, this festival belongs to all of us, he said.

He commended the Ooni for hosting the 27th edition of the celebration scheduled for May 1, noting that the event will also commemorate his installation while showcasing the enduring values and identity of the Yoruba people.

Beyond regional interests, the Council reiterated its call for national cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections, urging Nigerians to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and unity as the country charts its future.

We must not allow the 2027 elections to become a battleground. Rather, it should be a rallying point for Nigerians to collectively decide the path forward for our nation, Hassan added.

CITATION OF PRINCE AKANNI JAMIU OLADOTUN HASSAN
(SOOKO AGORIESIN OF ILE-IFE).

Prince Barr Oladotun Hassan attended Methodist Boy’s High School, Lagos Set 1998, later graduated from the prestigious Lagos State University (LASU) with LLB Hons In Law and BL at the Nigerian Law School.

Prince Oladotun Hassan is an erudite legal practitioner, Public Affairs Analyst and Human rights compassionate advocate per excellence, whose indefatigable commitments to the unity, peace and development of Yorubaland earned him the position of Aare Yoruba Agbaye and Agbenuso Omo Alade Oodua Agbaye on merit, he is the President, Yoruba Council Worldwide (Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye), the apex umbrella body for all Yoruba indigenous people globally, with over 44 Affiliated organizations globally.

An ardent and strong supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

He was the former Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Epe Branch, Lagos, Former Member, NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee and Secretary General, Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Leaders Council Worldwide, Convener, Nigeria Youth Coalition, National Youth Stakeholders Forum, Legal Adviser, OPC Worldwide (Frederick Fasehun led OPC), Member Planning Committee, Yoruba Summit – Ibadan Declaration to mention a few.

Historical antecedent and facts that Prince Oladotun Hassan is of the Wanikin section of the Ogboru Amodo Ruling House, and the Traditional Council of Sooko recognises the Wanikin section of Amodo Dynasty, Ile-Ife.

Ogboru Leegan: the Ancestral forefathers of Amodo, Adetise ,
Deladan and Adegbayun (Isoya) respectively.

Leegan the great forebears of Amodo Dynasty was a direct descendants of Ogboru, who first settled around somewhere called Oke Ileri in Atiba, Ile-ife, before the intervention of God to their present site.

Ooni Amodo begat Wanikin- Lukerebi-Kinrinbiun .

Wanikin begat Amodo Jeboda, who begat Amodo Balogun Alimosho, he left Ile-Ife to Lagos sojourn (bearing the popular slogan Ojo Pe Amodo Nbe’Le’Eko), he married six wives (Omosuatan Omopariola, Iya Idimu, Iya Agege, Iya Raliatu, Iya Oshodi, Iya Oloshe Alhaja Adiatu Ayoka Balogun who begat Alhaji Late Jimoh Balogun and ALHAJA AMUDALAT BALOGUN, the last surviving daughter of Amodo Balogun Alimosho is alive till date and direct descendants lineage that begat Prince Lateef Babatunde Hassan (Olori Ebi) the father of Prince Akanni Oladotun Hassan (SOOKO AGORIESIN OF ILE-IFE), a direct descendants of Iyaoloshe Alhaja Adiatu Ayoka Balogun being the last wive married to Amodo Balogun Alimosho Lineage of Wanikin.

In his panegyric Ooni Amodo Inter Alas: Amodo Dokerewe Dekun, O goriesin Bawon-Wijo

Omo Amodo okerewe dekun, omo deladan, omo detise, omo okunlana okerewe, Abu aniunka, abu abe’amo, o’keya bi eni ke’mo.

Amodo lorodo kolu, l’oro aro ko’fe, lowi ki gbogbo ilu la ma jeun. Omo Ajimibasun, Omo ajinido, dududu, gbegbegbe. Omo arowo k’ola.

Omo a l’oko nla s’edon l’oore.

Omo ojigidiri, Omo Ooni ode, Okuta meta Agba Okerewe mefa, ori re l’onte kan le ri se ki Ooni L’oropo, Sooko Aniunka.

O’goriesin te Obirin L’omu, Omo A’lokonla Se’dan L’ore, Eni A’mo L’ado.

Song: Eso fun aya ko ko oko re s’ile, ero ma bo k’ewa se aya Amodo ooo.

In view of the above Panegyric , it suggests that members of Amodo Dynasty are free to acclaim such with deep Sooko Title which has been in existence since time immemorial .

Historical Records:

1. Prince J.A Adetipe was the first Sooko to be installed as Agoriesin from Wanikin lineage.

2. Prince Gbadamosi Adewoye was installed as Sooko Agoriesin and got elevated to Laegbin, and was installed as the Head of the Traditional Council of Sooko on 22nd November, 1973 from Wanikin lineage.

3. Prince Adediwura Omisakin was installed as Sooko Omonigbehin on 23rd October, 1986. From Kinrinbiun lineage. The title was used by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Okunade Sijuade to broker peace and ceased to lapse.

4. Prince Benjamin Oluwasanmi Adereni, Sooko Agoriesin- Laegbin was installed on the 5th May, 1990, He died sometimes in July, 2012. From Lukerebi lineage.

5. After 15 years Prince Akanni Oladotun Hassan is installed as Sooko Agoriesin of Ile-Ife today 1st and 2nd May, 2026.

Sooko Agoriesin has been the original title of Ogboru Amodo Dynasty.

Sooko Agoriesin takes its rightful place ,being the Principal title Sooko in Amodo Dynasty.

The Ogboru Traditional Council of Sooko resolution and recommendation, and Ife Traditional Council of Sooko having earlier ratified Prince Barr Hassan Jamiu Oladotun, coupled with the fatherly royal blessings and immeasurable supports of His Imperial Majesty,, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife graciously approved Prince Hassan Jamiu Oladotun as Sooko Agoriesin of Ogboru Amodo, Ile-Ife