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AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF
EKITI STATE, DR KAYODE FAYEMI AT THE STAGE
PERFORMANCE OF KIRIJI, TO MARK THE 125TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE YORUBA WARS
IN ADO-EKITI ON 23rd SEPTEMBER 2011
PROTOCOLS
Today marks a great day in the history of Yoruba people.
Exactly 125 years ago, in 1886, our forebears, came to a
peace table and signed an armistice between the Ekitis as
well as some other Yoruba sub-tribes and a powerful
Ibadan military command after 16 years of bitter struggle
for freedom and human liberty. Men and women fought
gallantly on both sides, not for gold or for silver, but for
dignity and in defence of their beliefs, ancestral territories
and the lofty dreams they treasured passionately.
The Kiriji war today signifies courage, fortitude, strength
of character, bravery, selfless sacrifice, ingenuity, great
sense of valour and an astounding contribution to
scientific inventions in the quest for survival. These iconic
men and women, fought graciously in manners never
seen before and in traits hardly found in recent memories.
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For 16 years, thousands of men and women, young and
old, armed and defenceless people alike, sacrificed with
their blood giving their yesterday painfully for the dignity
of our today. May I call on this gathering to rise and
observe a minute silence in remembrance of the
fallen heroes on both sides of the conflict?
Thank you. I need to undertake a little historical excursion
on how the war started. As early as the 10th century, the
Yoruba people had a system of norms, mores and a
princely system of government that nevertheless, created
checks and balances within the tiers of traditional
government.
There is no doubt that Oyo Empire placed the Yoruba
people on global political and cultural reckoning. Though
several factors led to the fall of the Oyo Empire, this was
not before the Empire had played a momentous role in
the defense of Yorubaland, by preventing the incursion of
invaders into Yoruba territories through brave encounters,
one of the most decisive being the 1840s defense of
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Osogbo against conquest by foreign
powers. However, in the womb of the Oyo Empire, the
internal contradictions and the seed that led to its collapse
were sown.
The collapse of Oyo Empire gave rise to the emergence of
the military administration in Ibadan which had passion
for a unitary system of government in the entire Yoruba
territory. This was resented by the other Yoruba sub-
tribes. Around this desire, other variables and causes of
the war were constructed, leading to the war that broke
out between Ibadan and the Ekiti Parapo around 1870.
The war saw gallantry on both sides, iron cast
determination, and in fact, left a chain of events that are
worth being recalled. There is living evidence that the
warriors imbibed what later became United Nations (UN)
Conventions on War Prisoners taking a cue from the
human treatment of children and women during the war
which amplified the measure of decorum displayed even
while the war lasted. There were even moments for
ceasefires, era for negotiations and time for wits.
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There are many lessons we must learn
from the bitter feud. No doubt, the war and the ability of
the Yoruba people to survive pains and anguish, only
confirmed the economic and political grandeur of the
Yoruba nation. Certainly, most great nations usually
emerge from the rubbles of great wars. War is, most of
the time, the pastime of great men, great people, great
nations. One great example we should note today as
Yoruba people, is the fact that we have had a rich history,
we are at present writing a prosperous history and in the
future we will have a wealthy narration. No doubt, the
war clearly indicated the resilience of the Yoruba people in
time of peace and war and their perseverance in the face
of tormenting adversaries. The extraordinary spirit of the
Yoruba people to fight for justice and egalitarianism is
astonishing.
We as a people have been demonstrating this trait for
centuries. We confirmed this firm stand during the unjust
persecution of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, we
showed this spirit during the annulment of the June 12
elections, we indicated this during the 2007 elections
when the mandate of the people was brazenly stolen and
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in April 2011 elections, we the Yoruba
people re-confirmed our preference for liberty, as against
tyranny of the minority. This is the KIRIJI spirit. This is
the spirit of our forefathers. This is the spirit we cherish
and will continue to nurture.
We should also note that the 1886 armistice indicated
that the Yoruba people believe in peaceful means of
resolving dispute, even after the most vicious conflict.
As a people with common ancestry, it is significant that
the 1886 armistice has brought long lasting peace in
Yorubaland, it has redefined out solidarity and has
continued to nurture the mutual respect among the
Yoruba people.
It is important for us not to see only the war angle of
KIRIJI. There are other aspects like science, politics,
philosophy and art.
It is in this context that we are planning the first Museum
of Yoruba War History where we intend to keep all the
artifacts, both military and non-military, relating to the
war. It is our strong conviction that this will broaden the
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tourism corridor in Yorubaland apart from
enriching a dwindling history.
I wish to express my profound appreciation to all the
dignitaries at this event. I thank the cast crew and the
domestic and international artistes who are part of this
great dream. I thank the proud families of Latoosa,
Ogedengbe, Fabunmi, Osun Gbekun, Ogboriefon, Faboro,
Olaosebikan and all the direct offsprings of the heroes of
the war. I reaffirm to you today, that our fathers did not
fight in vain neither was their death futile. We shall do
everything to preserve the artifacts and ensure that the
memories of the heroes of the war continue to occupy a
special place in our hearts.
E seun o, Ile Yoruba o ni baje o!
Oodua a gbe gbogbo wa.
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