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Ibadan—AS prominent Yoruba sons and daughters marked the 60th anniversary of internal self rule of Western Nigeria,  led by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, hundreds of people who assembled in the ancient House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan yesterday called for the establishment of an Oduduwa Republic.

Chief Areola Oyebola, a former Editor of Daily Times, who was delivering a goodwill message had barely stopped talking when the mammoth crowd echoed the call for Oduduwa Republic. The call was made during the 60th commemoration of self government in Western region organised by a renowned Yoruba group, Atayese, led by Prince Tokunbo Ajasin, the scion of a former Governor of Ondo State, late Adekunle Ajasin. Also, Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group, Mr Wale Oshun, who was represented by the Programme Officer of the group, Mr Segun Balogun  said the dissolution remained the only viable option if ethnic nationalities in a country would not respect each others’ rights and unity became a permanent mirage. The Guest Speaker, Prof Bunmi Ayoade, a retired professor from the University of Ibadan said it is bereft of wisdom for one section of the country to agitate for secession and another one is busy issuing a quit notice to a section and Yoruba people keep sealed lips and remain docile. The Chairman of Atayese, Prince Tokunbo Ajasin said the 60th anniversary was intended to offer those above 50 years an opportunity to remember the golden age of Western Nigeria which was brought to an abrupt end by the Federal Government declaration of a state of emergency in 1962. At yesterday’s meeting were Prof Adetoun Ogunsheye, the first Professor of Library Science in Africa, son of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Chief Kunle Oshodi, the Chairman of Agbekoya, Ogbeni Tokunbo Ajasin, son of former old Ondo State Governor, Chief Adekunle Ajasin and several other