A political science professor, at the University of Northern Iowa, who specializes in Nigerian politics, stated that the Egbe Apapo Omo Odua movement is an umbrella political organization of Yorubas in North America (4 Aug. 1998). Egbe Apapo Omo Odua, he explained, stands for Association of Descedents of Odudua, the mythical founder of Yorubaland. He said that the movement was formed in Washington, DC in 1995 and is an attempt to revive an old Pan-Yoruba organization which was formed in 1945. The Pan-Yoruba organization changed its name to Action Group in 1957 but was disbanded by the military government in 1966. The Egbe Apapo Omo Odua, he added is very active in North America and holds annual conferences in different parts of the United States. The movement, he stated, is divided between moderates and radicals, who at the last meeting which was held in Philadelphia in July 1998, called for the secession of Yorubaland from the rest of Nigeria.

A programme officer for human rights at the Centre for Democracy and Development in London, England, corroborated the information about the Egbe Apapo Omo Odua being an umbrella political organization of Yorubas but added that it is not only active in the diaspora but in Nigeria as well. He stated that although the movement is mainly a Yoruba interest group, it also speaks against human rights violations of other Nigerian nationalities inside Nigeria.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Professor of Political Science, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. 4 August 1998. Telephone interview.

Centre for Democracy and Development, London. 5 August 1998. Telephone interview with programme officer for human rights.

Africa Confidential [London]. January - June 1998. Vol. 39. Nos. 1-13.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. January - May 1998. Vol. 35. Nos. 1-5.

Keesings Record of World Events [Cambrdige]. January - April 1998. Vol. 44. Nos. 1-4.

West Africa [London]. January - May 1998. Nos. 4180-4191.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, World News Connection (WNC).