Adeyinka Olaiya, Sao Paulo/
The mood of a rally in Brazil by members of Yoruba communities agitating for national restructuring in Nigeria was altered by the police yesterday in accordance with COVID-19 pandemic protocols.
Members of the communities who had planned a huge rally to celebrate the 60th Independence anniversary of Nigeria in the Latin American country were confined indoors where they held a program and issued a joint statement calling for national restructuring of Africa’s most populous nation.
During the indoor program held at the African cultural center in Brazil, the Sao Paulo State Councilor, Honorable Carlos Cunha read a statement saying that Brazil will always support the activities of the Yoruba communities.
He said it was unfortunate that the state police command had prohibited any form of public gathering in Sao Paulo because of the COVID-19 pandemic which has recorded a heavy toll in the country.
He added that the betterment of the Yoruba people worldwide would always be of interest to the Brazilians of African origin.
Personalities at the event included several Yoruba leaders and activists in Brazil, including the President, Egbe Omo Oodua in Brazil, Ogbeni Adeyemi Kayode Bamidele; President, African Cultural Center in Brazil, HRH Adekunle Aderounmu; President, Nigerian community in Brazil, Dr. Emmanuel Oluwatuyi; Ifa priest and coordinator, Chief Adegboyega Najeem; Comrade Titilayo Fadeyi and several other prominent Yoruba people living in Brazil.
Those at the gathering also threatened a break-up in the country and an immediate creation of the Oduduwa Republic if the request for restructuring is not considered by the Federal Government of Nigeria. They claimed that the killings and the inhuman conditions of the Yoruba in Nigeria must stop with immediate effect
The talks and agitations went peacefully in Sao Paulo.
Officers from Sao Paulo State Police Command policed the activities to prevent any form of illegal gathering against the laws of the country.
