The ancient Yoruba distinguished between Nation and State. A nation was ‘orile ede’, that is, a cultural entity identifiable by language. A state was ‘sakani ilu’, that is, a legal entity, identifiable by territory. By definition, a Yoruba State is what we want.
 
With a Yoruba State:
 
1.     We can do things the Yoruba way
·      We have our own distinct Yoruba convention, culture and tradition
·      We have our own laws from ancient times - denigrated to customary law
·      We have our own system of government which Lugard called democratic
·      Our Omoluabi ethos has made the Yoruba a cultured people; civil, congenial, generous and hospitable
 
2.     We can keep Yoruba money in Yorubaland
·      The Yoruba will stop feeding the rest of Nigeria as we have done since 1914
·      75% of Nigeria’s income comes from Yorubaland - customs, taxes, companies etc
·      Imagine if all that money was retained in Yorubaland = N10 trillion/year at least
 
3.     We can develop Yorubaland the way we want
·      We have human capital in abundance; many native-born Yoruba practice their professions in different parts of the world
·      We are undaunted by advances and complexities in artificial intelligence, robotics, science, and technology
·      We have arable and fertile land in abundance, suitable for growing almost any crop
·      We have mineral resources yet untapped including bitumen, marble, gold and oil
·      We have limitless opportunities in the Yoruba landscape to harness renewable energy from sun, water and wind
·      We have untapped resources in tourism - historical sites, sites of natural beauty, Egungun festival
 
4.     We can play a more visible, and constructive, role on the global stage
·      There are social and physical sciences perfected by the ancient Yoruba
·      Ifa oracle is a probability system available to be scientifically exploited
·      Gbere intradermal techniques were used for delivery of therapeutic agents, analgesia, boost to the body defenses, contraception and vaccination (introduced to America in 1776 by Onesimus, a Yoruba slave)
·      Principles underpinning the ancient Yoruba medicine, which is more observational science than the conceptual medicine of India (Ayurveda) and China, would finally attract western scrutiny.
 
5.     We can educate and employ our youths the way we want
·      This was Awolowo’s vision all those years ago
·      Federal character destroying our education system and depriving our children of education
·      Nigeria kills our children’s talents particularly in science and technology
·      We have been in the fore front of education since 1955 - the largest tertiary sectors
·      There will be employment opportunities in commerce, industry, infrastructure etc
 
6.     We can secure our external and internal borders
·      We currently have no security because security is in the hands of others
·      We can keep out undesirables from Yorubaland
·      The Good Lord put the River Niger to keep out our enemies
 
7.     We can keep our language and culture
·       I start by expressing my gratitude to my forefathers.
·       Not only did they bequeath me the best DNA on this planet, they also gave me a civilisation that is indestructible. Culture and tradition that survived the worst of the British and the worst of the Fulani.
 
8.     We can get recompense for slavery
·      Between 1400 and 1800, about 10 million Yoruba - mostly men and children - were forcibly transported to the Americas as slaves.
·      We Yoruba built America with our blood and sweat but we are yet to receive any recompense, which would go some way to amend for the harm done to us and to our future.
·      Our descendants, Black Americans, are yet to receive any reparation, which would go some to amend for the wrongs that America did and has continued to do to them.
·      Holocaust survivors received billions of dollars. World War 2 internees were paid $1.5 million.
·      The Yoruba too must receive recompense and reparation for the damages of slavery
 
9.     We can get refund of  resources taken without our consent
·      These monetary entitlements include
·      In 1913, British Empire took £8.5million from Yorubaland
·      In 1917, they took £12 million; America took £1.8 million
·      They took £6 million to service the Imperial war debt
·      In today’s money we are talking loss of £1 trillion.
 
10.  We can motivate the Yoruba Diaspora to do great things
·      Kemi’s push to be the British Prime Minister is a case in point.
·      The Yoruba have an ‘international certificate’ like the Jews that we  can use to extract much from the world.
 
11.  We can bring our people home
·      Many of our youths have fled to seek better life elsewhere
·      We want them to return home to help develop the Yoruba State

Over 8,000 people worldwide have now signed our petition to the UN for self-determination for the Yoruba people of Nigeria - http://chng.it/QJp8yJ6hPs 10,000 signatures is the target. We are nearly there. Please make it happen. Your signature costs you nothing.