08/05/2023
*Coalition of Aworis and Descendants in Diaspora (CANDID) repositions as a global socio-political advocacy group in Toronto, Canada.*
History was made in Toronto on July 29, 2023 when Coalition of Aworis and Descendants in Diaspora (CANDID) officially launched and swore in members of the association in Toronto at a grand banquet that was part of activities of the 2023 Awori Week that held in Canada. The formal flag off of the Canada chapter of the association is a realization of the intentional positioning of the association as the global umbrella body for all Awori sons and daughters in diaspora. Beyond reinforcing the perception of CANDID as a global association for all Aworis that live abroad, the 2023 Awori Week also marks the first time that the biennial convention of the 13 year old association, will be celebrated as a weeklong event that held outside the United States.
The traditionally colourful convention of CANDID in Toronto this year, was packed with lots of events that generated positive buzz for the Awori nation in Nigeria, Canada and across the globe. The event tagged “2023 Awori Week” was graced by prominent monarchs from different Awori communities in Ogun and Lagos states. Diverse activities planned as part of the week drew representation from members of the association in Canada, London and across the fifty (50) states of the United States. The 2023 Awori Week, which committee was chaired by Alhaja Kudirat Irawo-Amusa was designed to avail opportunities for hard core socio-political issues to be discussed by members of CANDID, Awori academics, professionals and most importantly royal fathers whose counsel and wisdom made it possible for healthy consensus to be reached on plural action plans.
Though conversation regarding the sub-optimal positioning of Aworis in Lagos and Ogun states was the highpoint of week, the immediate past executive of CANDID, led by Chief Saheed Olushi , was deliberate in ensuring that the week featured broad activities that allowed members from across the globe to interact socially, visit popular destinations and engage in activities that gave visibility and recognition to the 2023 Awori Week by different levels of government in Canada.
The week kicked off with a community outreach and donation to a food bank and this was followed by a Social Night that welcomed all members and guests of the association to the warm embrace of Toronto, a city renowned globally for its uncommon diversity and affectionate residents. The Awori Week progressed with a visit to the iconic site of Niagara Falls, an irresistible stop over for most visitors to Canada and a grand reception in the evening to welcome visiting Awori royal fathers to Canada.
Prominent among royal fathers that participated actively in all activities of the Awori Week was the Grand Patron of CANDID, HRM Oba (Prof.) Abdulkabir Yemi Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota Awori Kingdom supported actively by the Special Adviser of the association HRM Oba (Barr.) Lukman Agunbiade, the Alagbara of Agbara Kingdom. Other distinguished monarchs whose presence and contributions made the week a resounding success were HRM Oba, (Lt. Colonel) Segun Benson, the Olojodu of Ojodu Kingdom and HRM Oba, Maroof Adio Alagbe, the Elegushi of Egushi of Otta Awori Kingdom. The Osolo of Isolo Kingdom, HRM Oba Kabiru Alani Agbabiaka, one of the patrons of CANDID that was unavoidably absent during the Awori Week was ably represented at all events by Baale Alani Abereijo, the Baale of Ilasamaja.
A traditional activity at all conventions of CANDID that have held over the years is a town hall meeting that provides conducive atmosphere for Awori monarchs to address Awori sons and daughters in diaspora. The year’s edition of the town hall provided royal fathers opportunity to share insights on recent achievements of broad stakeholders in relation to competitively positioning the economic and political interests of Aworis in Lagos and Ogun States. The interactive parley gave members of CANDID opportunities to ask penetrative questions and make bold suggestions on how to make interests of Aworis a priority in Lagos, Ogun and Nigeria as a whole.
The monarchs at the event made a bold case for the creation of Awori Traditional Council in Ogun State and urged Awori sons and daughters in Nigeria and in diaspora to engage more with other Yoruba sub-ethnic groups and take charge of the Awori narrative by preaching Justice, Fairness and Peace among all stakeholders. The royal fathers led by the Olota of Ota, HRM Oba (Prof.) Abdulkabir Yemi Obalanlege enjoined all Aworis regardless of their micro affiliation within the Awori nation to become more cohesive and advocate for Awori interest with one voice. He said much more will be achieved if Aworis take a driving seat in telling their own story and adopt a coordinated approach to the promotion of diverse interests of the Awori nation.
Smooth succession one of the integral values of CANDID since its creation over a decade ago, was reinforced during the recently concluded Awori Week with the election of new executives to take over the administration of the association. This election signals the end of the eventful and achievement-laden 4 years/two terms tenure of the immediate past President of the association Chief Saheed Olushi. The member that emerged via a well organized election as the new President of the association was Chief Bosun Osuro, an accomplished Information Technology consultant that is based in New York. Chief Osuro who has promised to lead the association with a sense of mission and accountability will be assisted by other executives namely Princess Joke Balogun-Adediran ( Vice President), Hon. Olumide Idowu ( General Secretary), Hon. Akintunde Saliu Agbabiaka ( Asst. General Secretary), Hon. Awulat Idowu-Akanbi ( Financial Secretary), Hon. Maxwell Adeolu ( Public Relations Officer) and Hon. K**e Olarinde (Chief Liaison Officer).
The many successes of the 2023 Awori Week will be incomplete without mentioning the official recognition that the week received from the cities of Toronto and Mississauga. Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the 4th largest city in North America celebrated Awori Week with an official letter from its newly elected Mayor, Olivia Chow. In a signed letter she extended a warm welcome to the vibrant city of Toronto, to all members and guests of CANDID and implored them to take advantage of the immense facilities and sceneries that the city offers for hosting a great community and cultural event such as the Awori Week. In a similar vein the 7th largest city in Canada, the city of Mississauga honoured the 2023 Awori Week with a Tower Clock Lighting ceremony that displayed and decorated the popular tourist tower in Square One, with the name and brand colours of CANDID.
While the excitement and sense of fulfilment that the Awori Week in Toronto generated is yet to abate, the new President of the association, Chief Bosun Osuro, has promised to sustain the lofty accomplishments of the past administration and set audacious goals that will earn Aworis home and abroad the respect and recognition that they truly deserve in the economic and political space in Nigeria. He affirmed that work has already commenced regarding spreading the gospel of CANDID to new territories in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the middle east. In his words “God willing and with the support of our royal fathers and other stakeholders, we plan to host the 2025 Awori Week in London, United Kingdom.
All our members and guests that will participate in the Awori Week in London should look forward to an event that will blow their mind and help to redefine the Awori nation and its ongoing contributions to the economy, politics and governance in Lagos and Ogun states”.
Hon. Olumide Idowu
General Secretary, CANDID
Hon. Maxwell Adeola
Public Relations Officer, CANDID
