Call for Love, Unity Reverberates at 2025 UNIZIK Yoruba Staff Cultural Day

By Praise Chinecherem

Yoruba staff at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State have been charged to keep love and unity as the secret of their strength.

The traditional ruler of the Yoruba Community in Awka, Oba Abdulrazak Olahan who gave the charge in his royal advice during the 2025 Cultural Day of the association, urged his brothers and sisters regardless of their states of origin to work together in the spirit of love tolerance and forgiveness.

Oba Olahan was represented by Mr Joshua Oluobafemi. “Kabiyesi is happy with you. He would have been here in person but he has travelled to Ile-Ife for an important engagement.

Kabiyesi has asked me to advise you to always remember that we are on a sojourn here. Keep working hard so that your stay will be eventful.

“He also admonishes that you do your best to raise your children to appreciate our tradition, culture and language.

“Let’s pay closer attention to our children so that they will our sources of pride tomorrow.

“Always remember our source and shun vices that can undermine good character.

“No matter the challenges, always ensure that you comport yourselves according to regulations that govern your work,” Oba Folahan added.

Also speaking, Alhaji Ademola Okeleye advised all NAU academic and non-academic staff of Yoruba extraction to always remember their roots.

“Remember where you are coming from and identify with your people here. We all need one another to survive. Three of us came to Anambra in 1999/2000. Up till now, we have not soiled our hands.

“Shun admission racketeering, sex for marks and other vices. We are increasing in number, let’s keep the love. We have a lot of opportunities and they will give us.

For his part, Alhaji Kehinde Alade, reechoed the call for unity. “We are all united by Oduduwa – our symbol of unity. We are known to be respectful, law-abiding and hardworking.

“Above all, I strongly advise you that you raise your children to appreciate our culture of respect, hard work and honesty.

The Chairman, of Yoruba Community in Awka, Mr Idris Agbaje, decried the worsening insecurity across the country urging his people to be security conscious at all times.

“Shun social vices because they corrupt good manners, he counseled.

In his message, one of the influential members of the association, Mr Shitu Owolabi, appreciated the past and present leaderships for keeping the Yoruba staff together despite the challenges of leadership.

“I value and respect those who bring their time to serve all of us. Our leaders need our support not criticism. Let’s cooperate with them so they will succeed leading us.

Earlier, President, Association of Yoruba Staff, NAU, Dr Olusegun Adeniyi, appreciated the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, for his open arms towards the association while appreciating the invaluable fatherly role of Oba Olahan.

“We appreciate our new Vice Chancellor for his warm reception during our visit to him. It has been a very hectic week for him and that is why he is not here.

“I thank our royal father, Oba Olahan and Dr Taiwo Abdulahi, my predecessor and his team of former excos who handed over to us for their support.

He said the day was earmarked to demonstrate love to one another and to reconcile differences that may exist.

“Whatever are our grievances, let’s forgive one another and move on with oneness to achieve our goal.

“Let’s work together regardless of the towns, local governments and states where we come from. Let’s do our best for this association.

Dr Adeniyi further assured to keep the records of the association open for public scrutiny.

“We will lead with transparency and accountability. We are conscious that tomorrow is pregnant and we will not disappoint you,” he assured.