Following the reported declaration of July 7 of every year as ‘World Amotekun Day’ by the United Nations, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has commended the global body for the gesture describing it as “a big booster’.
Afenifere’s position was contained in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Jare Ajayi.
Recall that Amotekun’s formal recognition by the UN was made public last week by the President of the World Peace, Ambassador, Peer Stafsen while presenting the ‘certificate of affiliation’ to the Commandant of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye (DCC Rtd) in Akure, the state capital.
The World Peace is part of the global body, the United Nations.
Ondo State is significant in the issue of Amotekun as its former Governor, late Rotimi Akeredolu, was pivotal in the establishment of the corps.
Stafsen, who was represented by the Director of Information and Communications of the International Association of World Peace Advocates, Ambassador Dr Markwili Mgbara, said the recognition was due to the activities of Amotekun corps in “promoting safety and protecting lives and property across Nigeria’s South-West region.”
With this recognition, the South West Security Network will now be officially attending the United Nations’ annual general meeting starting with the one coming up in New York, United States of America on September 22, 2025.
Reacting, Afenifere said the “recognition of Amotekun by the United Nations is unprecedented in this part of the globe. Amotekun’s invitation to attend meetings of the body’s affiliates on security and human rights is a big morale booster.
“It is also a testament that those who brought it about and have been sustaining it were exemplary as further attested to by some states in Nigeria who have shown interest in replicating the concept in their respective areas”.
Afenifere submitted that the formal recognition of Amotekun by the apex world body and its formal invitation to attend the annual security meeting “is a clear indication that the establishment of the outfit was a very good step to take.
“Its sustenance over the years in spite of various challenges is a testament to the resilience, vision and determination of all those who came up with the idea and those who have been keeping it alive.”
Quoting Stafsen’s assertion that Amotekun’s objectives and activities align “with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its broader vision for peace and security by 2030”, Ajayi said that Afenifere was impressed by the outfit’s significant contributions to reducing crime, supporting farmers, and ensuring highway safety across the Southwest region.
According to him, the achievement now places Amotekun in a position to participate in various UN security and human rights meetings globally.
