Gbadegesin Delivered! Sometimes around the month of March 1998, it became very clear to the executive committee of The Alliance of Yoruba Organizations and Clubs that we must reach out and touch the organization members by visiting them at their respective home bases. Some of the reasons were: to show our sincere appreciation for their support towards a successful year in 1998, to pledge the Yoruba Alliance's support to their programs, get to know each other answer any questions that may be of interest to them regarding The Alliance of Yoruba Organizations and Clubs. Our visits, led by the Outreach commitee chairman, Prince Ajibade Gbadegesin, started in May 1998 with a visit to the Ijebu Association at Mr. Owolabi’s residence in Gaithersburg. The Egba-Egbado Descendants Association followed in July at Mr. Odebiyi's residence in Mitchellville. In August, Ibarapa-Oyo Pacesetters were visited at Mr. Koleoso’s residence. September belonged to the Ikare Investment Club while Idanre Development Association hosted us in October. Ogbomoso Parapo accommodated us during their November month meeting, and the Yoruba Youth Organization rounded up the visitations for us in December after the Yoruba Alliance Night. The Outreach program generated tremendous goodwill for the Yoruba Alliance. In return, we learned a lot about the uniqueness of these Yoruba organizations, their goals and aspirations. Many suggestions and ideas were discussed, paving the way for a better understanding between us. The rumours of conflict between Isokan and the Yoruba Alliance were mostly put to rest. We were unable to visit some of the organizations such as Kwara State Association, Osun Indegenes, Ijesha Authentics, and Ibadan Descendants Union due to scheduling conflicts. It is our hope that we will visit them in 1999. Our sincere thanks to the committee members who made these visitations possible through their selfless efforts. Oduduwa a gbe wa o. A a kere oko dele o. Amin |
Yoruba Alliance Prayers Answered Emily Dickinson once wrote, "Prayer is the little implement through which men reach where presence is denied them." Prayer is combat with God. It is not limited to the pious; it is articulating need, recognizing God’s ultimate power and authority. Alliance of Yoruba Organizations and Clubs organized a community Prayer Day on May 30 1998 at the Club Hotel in Largo, Maryland with these concepts in mind. The events in Nigeria had reached a chaotic state, the country was in a state of anarchy, and the Yorubas could be likened to the Israelites in Egypt under Pharaoh. Nothing else seemed to work, free speech was denied our people, poverty was rampant in the land of plenty, and the prisons were filled with everyone who dared to speak out. The Alliance of Yoruba Organizations and Clubs at this juncture became the instrument of God, not unlike Moses, but unaware of the role we were about to play . . . "Let my people go." On May 30, 1998, history was made when for the first time in the history of the Yoruba, in the USA, Christian Ministers, Muslim Imams, and Traditionalists met under one roof and prayed together and God answered their prayer efficaciously. Spiritual giants who led the occasion were: Alhaji Sheik J. Yusuf Olaleye, Mission General for the Nigerian Muslim Council, and the leader of the Muslim delegation, Rev. (Dr.) Frederick Ogunfiditimi, the founder of the International House of Prayer world-wide, leader of the Christian delegation. Dr. Olarinde, Provost, Yoruba Institute of Language and Culture in Washington delivered the Keynote Address. The address traced the journey of the Yoruba from Adam to the present day, with incantations, leaving all Yoruba in the house breathless , and proud to be Yoruba. Mr. Mobolaji Adio, founder of Ayoka Radio, took us through memory lane invoking in his "Ewi", the names of our forefathers. The Community Prayer Day was not an exercise in futility because five days later, the death of the tyrant leader, Abacha, was announced – God answers prayers. We cannot thank you enough, all religious leaders, members of churches and mosques who participated in the Community Prayer Day hosted by The Alliance of Yoruba Organizations and Clubs – your effort was crowned with a brilliant success. May God continue to strengthen you. We congratulate the leadership of the Yoruba Alliance, members of the Community Prayer Day Committee, and all participants. Brothers and Sisters, in unity there is strength, "Let us as Yoruba brace ourselves to our duty, and so bear ourselves that, if Nigeria, the giant of Africa lasts for another thousand years, men will say, "This is one of their finest hours." Long Live The Alliance of Yoruba Organizations and Clubs, Long Live the Yoruba, Long Live our Motherland.
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