By Abiodun Lawal
Abeokuta – The Ogun House of Assembly, on Tuesday assured that it would continue to partner with socio-cultural groups to promote the historical and cultural values of the Yoruba people.
Mr Suraj Adekunbi, the Speaker, gave the assurance while receiving members of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) led by its National Leader, Hon. Olawale Oshun, at the Assembly Complex.
Adekunbi said that the socio-cultural group had been a platform for projecting the views and aspirations of the Yorubas on national issues, with reference to regional unity and development.
The speaker applauded the group for its effort at preserving national unity and contributing to development.
He said that the Gov. Ibikunle Amosun-led administration, in the same spirit, recently appointed three non-indigenes as Permanent Secretaries in the state.
The lawmaker promised that the Assembly would also continue to uphold unity in spite of political affiliations of members.
Earlier, Oshun said the team’s visit was as a result of the exceptional roles and contributions of the state’s indigenes to the overall development of the nation.
The ARG leader explained that the group was a non-partisan association committed to the promotion of regional integration, to aid national development.
He said that ARG was collaborating with Yoruba Academy and Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) to ensure the preservation of the Yoruba culture and tradition as well as ensure its economic progress.
According to him, the group will continue to reflect on the benefits of peaceful co-existence, which was the essence of the 1886 treaty that ended the 17-year old Kiriji War which would be celebrated on Friday.
He lauded the state assembly for legislating on people-oriented bills to aid the socio-economic development of the state, regardless of the members’ political affiliations.