A Yoruba socio-political organization, Think Yoruba First Group, has declared that the Yoruba people will not allow outsiders to dictate decisions regarding street names in their land.
The group’s Public Relations Officer, Ogbeni Oluwole Lewis, made the statement in response to reactions from Ohanaeze Ndigbo over the renaming of streets in Lagos.
Ogbeni Lewis insisted that the renaming of streets is a matter strictly for Yorubas to decide, given their ancestral and historical ties to Lagos.
He stated, “We won’t outsource, lease or rent out our sovereignty and birthright to any settler colony no matter how many statements or noise they make, this decision is non-negotiable!”
He further emphasized that settlers should respect the rights of host communities and their cultural heritage, noting that those who feel wronged are constitutionally empowered to relocate.
The group warned that Yorubas reserve the right to name streets in their land as they see fit and that migrants or settlers have no authority to challenge such decisions.
Ogbeni Lewis also hinted at more changes to come in the weeks ahead, stressing that place names must reflect the cultural ties of the locals. “We are not obliged to even engage or debate such changes with settlers. The moment we start allowing outsiders to dictate such, it stops being Yorubaland,” he concluded.
