Right now, there is a new set of Yoruba leaders who are fast taking over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, from the other generation. They are drawn from the various South-West states of Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos.
As the octogenarian and septugenarian Yoruba leaders like late Christopher Kolade and Papa Akintola Williams are exiting the scene, new players are stepping in to their shoes in the world of Politics and Business.
Who are these new leaders? They are successful Yoruba men like Dr. Wale Babalakin, the erudite Lawyer/Businessman, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) the Ibadan born Lawyer, Senator Iyiola Omisore, (Osun APC Guber Aspirant) Senator Jide Omoworare who is running for Osun governorship, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, the Chairman of Oodua, Dr. Kayode Ajulo (the AG and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State).
There are other leaders like Mr. Fola Adeola (the founder of GTB) who is over 70 already, Sir Olu Okeowo, the billionaire Construction giant who is making waves in Lagos. There is also ace footballer Segun Odegbami.
In Lagos, we have the likes of former Super Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF), Akinwunmi Ambode, Chief Bareehu Ashafa, Senator Ganiyu Solomon (GOS), former Lagos Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro, Senator Obanikoro, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru FCA (Lagos East Senator), Senator Eshinlokun Lagos Central, Lagos APC chieftain Alhaji Mutiu Are, who is a Board Member at North East Dev. Commissioner and Lagos Deputy Gov. Femi Hamzat.
Many of them are members of GAC.
In Ogun State, there are new leaders like Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Obadara, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, GNI, Ogun Deputy Governor.
The South-West states have 6 Yoruba governors.
In Lagos is Mr. Babatunde Sanwo, in Ogun State is Prince Dapo Abiodun, Oyo State is Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Ondo is Gov. Lucky Ayedatiwa, Ekiti is Mr. Biodun Oyebanji.
In Osun is the dancing Governor, Senator Jackson Adeleke, former governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Prince Kola Adewusi, Osun Deputy Governor.
There are new Yoruba leaders emerging from Osun like the 3 Seenators of Osun, Hon. Wole Oke and others drawn from all the major parties.
There is also Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor Oyinlola, Erelu Sola Obada.
There are others like Chief Deji Adeleke, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi who just turned 70. There are others like Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) the MD of National Inland WaterWays Authority, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, National Secretary of APC, Benedict Alabi (a former Osun governor, Senator Mudashiru Hussain, Peter Babalola, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi Insurance guru).
We also have a new set of leaders from the Media sector.
There are leaders like Chief Dare Babarinsa, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Sir Olu Olamiti and others.
Among the traditional rulers there are new Yoruba leaders like the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Alaafin, Owa Obokun of Ijesalan, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Dokun Abolarin, Oba Osemawe of Owo, Oba Igbobi Sabe, Oba Alao, Oba Alara, Oba Ogunsanwo, Oba Ago-Iwoye, the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Makama, Oba Abepa of Jogaland, Oba Elerinmo, Oba Odosenlu, Oluwo of Iwo, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi, Oba Ososa, Oba Onipokia, Oba Ekundayo, Oniru, Oba Lawal, Oba Akinrera, Oba Adeagbo, Oba Adewalu Abdul, Oba Dokun Thompson, Oba Daniel Salako, Oba Osoja, Oba Alapomu, Oba Maegregor.
There are others like Oba Owa Ajero, Oba Dr. Adedapo Tejuoso, Oba Olofa, Oba Ibeun.
Among the religious leaders there are Bishop Adegbite of the Methodist Church, KICC, Senator Pastor, Pastor Wole Oladiyun, Pastor Poju Oyemade, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Pastor Koye Okanlawon, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, KICC’s, Pastor Femi Faseru, Pastor Jerry Eze.
Already some of them are serving in government like super Minister Wale Edun, Education Minister, Oye Ojo of FHA, Dele Alake, Chief Bayo Adelabu, Dayo Adeyeye of Ports Auhority, Chief of Staff to the President.
Some are in the Senate and House of Reps. There is Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Honourable Faleke.
In the world of Business, there are accomplished businessmen like Femi Otedola, Otunba Yemi Lawal, (a Real Estate player), Aare Dr. Adetola EmmanuelKing, (Chairman/CEO Adron Group), Dr. Bamidele Onalaja, (the GMD of Revolutionplus), Kunle Soname, the Chairman of Bet9ja and ValueJet airline boss, Adetokunbo Ogundeyin, the founder of Proforce Defence Ltd a company that produces armoured vehicles and body armour, Engr. Dotun Sanusi in Ibadan and Adebayo Ogunlesi who owns London’s Gatwick Airport.
There are some frontline politicians like Senator Teslim Folarin, Dr. Segun Mimiko, former Ekiti Gov. Ayo Fayose, Segun Oni, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi, Chief Bode Mustapha (Osi of Egbaland), Senator Lekan Mustapha, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and Dr. Peter Obafemi.
