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AKOKOLAND: DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, ONE CULTURE.
Article by GBENGA ABEGUNRIN, based in Ibadan
“Akokoland is one, irrespectful of dialects and other differences. We all belong to one big family.” This is the submission of many Akoko sons and daughters, who gathered at the Pastoral Institute, Bodija, Ibadan, recently to celebrate the first anniversary of Akoko Descendants’ Union, Ibadan branch.
Just as the Bautu peoples in the Southern Africa region in the 15th century, Akokoland consist of peoples who speak several inter-related languages.
The occasion, which took place under the distinguished chairmanship of Dr Olu Agunloye, former minister for power and steel, also witness the official presentation of ‘Akoko Voice’, a monthly newspaper published by the union. The newspaper, according to its publishers, is to serve interests of Akoko people both at home and abroad, and to promote unity among different peoples of Akokoland.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Agunloye, an illustrious son of Akokoland, lamented that the area is still backward despite the fact that many of its sons and daughters occupy top positions in the society. The former minister, however, used the opportunity to call on Akoko indigenes across the country to act as one entity towards the development of the area, maintaining that there could not be any meaningful development without co-operation
“We should all act as one family, because there will be no development in the absence of unity. Instead of writing destructive petitions against one another, we should apply constructive criticisms. Although, Akoko people are known to be frank and outspoken, those qualities should be used constructively…We have our people at top positions in the society, but there is no corresponding development in our land,” he said.
While commending efforts of the publishers of Akoko Voice, which he said would foster unity among Akoko indigenes, Agunloye promised to help the union in placing the newspaper on the internet for more people to read.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Olutope Ayejoto, president of the Akoko Descendants’ Union, stated that the union had vision for the development and progress that would bring about unity in Akokoland.
He maintained that Akokoland is a land of diverse languages, but with same culture, values and ways of life, adding that the union had visited every nook and cranny of the land to see what could be done to foster unity among the people.
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The SUN Newspapers, Wednesday, April 5, 2006
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Yeah, all people in the world is having different culture. Thanks a lot. It’s nice.
Comment by article May 15, 2009 @ 6:41 am