Ayo Ladigbolu
Ayo Ladigbolu, the archbishop emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) and chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), has implored Yoruba elders to embrace collective leadership as the path to regional unity and progress.
Speaking on the second day of the south-west stakeholders dialogue in Ondo, Ladigbolu said it is no longer feasible to rally the Yoruba people around a single individual, as was the case during the era of Obafemi Awolowo, former premier of the western region.
He urged the Yoruba to evolve their model of leadership to reflect contemporary realities.
“We all know we cannot re-create Awolowo or Ajasin,” Ladigbolu said.
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“But we can create a collective leadership which is credible and able to enunciate the Yoruba priorities.”
He identified elders such as Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the Afenifere; Olu Falae, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun; as culturally and spiritually grounded figures capable of leading this renewal.
Ladigbolu said the lack of cohesion among Yoruba individuals and groups is a major barrier to regional development.
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“Yoruba are good individually and can be better if we work together,” he said, urging the dialogue to serve as a platform for revitalising the south-west.
He said Yoruba progress must be anchored on shared values of Omoluabi and Olaju, emphasising dignity, integrity, and sophistication.
Ladigbolu called for pride in honest labour and warned against glorifying ill-gotten wealth.
“Our focus must be on developing our component parts, eradicating poverty and making our populations proud to be Yoruba-Nigerians,” he said.
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Ladigbolu also urged renewed commitment to self-reliance and innovation, encouraging investment in local industries, agriculture, and digital education.
He cited the Odu’a Investment Foundation’s Digital Education for Innovation and Economic Development initiative as a model for youth-driven growth.
