A governorship candidate in the 2019 election in Ogun State, Adekunle Akinlade, has reacted to the approval of the National Assembly to alter the 1999 constitution and change Egbado in Ogun West to Yewa.
Yesterday, the Senate and the House of Representatives voted that Egbado should now be known and addressed as Yewa.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Akinlade applauded the Senators and all the federal legislators from Ogun West for facilitating the renaming of Egbado to Yewa in the schedules of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Akinlade, who posited that several efforts made in the past to change the name were met with stiff opposition, expressed gladness that the dream is now a reality.
He recalled how previous efforts by former lawmakers, including him, were met with serious resistance.
He said the change was a step closer for the Yewas to get their true identity in Ogun.
He expressed confidence that once the change of name is achieved, the Yewa people and kingdom would claim rightful place in the scheme of things in Ogun State.
DAILY POST reports that Ogun West is the only zone that is yet to produce a governor since the creation of Ogun State.
“My profound appreciation goes to Sen. Tolu Odebiyi, representing Ogun West senatorial district at the 9th Assembly; Sen. Ibikunle Amosun and Sen. Lekan Mustapha for this laudable accomplishment.
“Since 1999, various attempts to change the ancient identity from Egbado to YEWA was frustrated. In the 8th Assembly, 2017 to be precise, Hon. Kayode Oladele and I tried to push it through, but it was voted down at the last moment.
“With the constitutional amendment passage yesterday at both houses of the Nigerian parliament, we are a step closer to getting our true identity in Ogun West. I am confident that once this is achieved, the Yewa people and kingdom will come full circle to claim their rightful place in the scheme of things in Ogun State.
“The Yorubas say that ‘Oruko ma n ro ni’. Yewa will definitely stand by us. Our prayers will jointly be required to make sure that the bill passes through the State Assemblies.
“My utmost gratitude goes to the leadership of the National Assembly, the various stakeholders that participated in the public hearings, Nigerians in general and Almighty God for this manifestation,” the statement read.
He congratulated the people of the region, believing that the renaming will bring forth good tidings for them and the state at large.
