Disintegration not solution to Nigeria’s economic woes, says Elebuibon

An Osun based cultural icon and university lecturer, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, has warned ethnic nationalities in Nigeria to avoid utterances that could lead into disintegration of the country.

He said what the country needed was change of attitude, especially by those in leadership positions.

He accused those in leadership position of failing to sacrifice by not cutting down their salaries and allowances, despite the poor state of the country’s economy.

Elebuibon spoke in Osogbo while briefing newsmen on the activities lined up for his 70th birthday celebration.

According to him, if the country is divided into 37 different nations without change in attitude by the leaders and the led, the problems bedeviling common man on the streets will persist.

Chief Elebuibon noted with disatisfaction the decline in the usage of Yoruba language among people of the race, expressed fear that the language may go to extinction.

He recommended that something drastic had to be done by government and the people of the race.

“Our generation has fallen short of being proud of promoting the Yoruba culture and tradition. It should be of great concern, what we will bequeath to the generation coming behind in the area of promoting our culture, especially the Yoruba language,” he said.

As part of measures to reverse the trend, Chief Elebuibon also advised that Yoruba language should be made official language for transacting businesses by government in the six yoruba speaking states.

On the activities for his 70th birthday celebration, a birthday lecture entitled “The contribution of Elebuibon to the development of Yoruba tradition and culture”, to be delivered by renown historian, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso and presided over by former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is lined-up.

Other programmes include: Art exhibition, book presentation, conferment of Traditional titles on friends in the diaspora, visitation to orphanage among others.