The Federal lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, Lagos State, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, has announced a new phase of training, which now includes Yoruba people.

Onuakalusi, a non-native of Lagos State and non-Yoruba, is currently facing a heavy backlash on social media after he published a list of names of his constituents whom he sponsored to China and South Africa to study cyber security, nursing, food production and artificial intelligence, among others.

The list generated an outrage as it showed that 24 out of the 29 names are from his Igbo ethnicity, while only five are Yorubas. Angered, Yoruba youths took to social media to lament the discrimination against them in their own state by a non-native whom they gave political power to. Claims also mounted that the few Yoruba names in the list may have been AI-generated as netizens wondered why one of them is called Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the same name as the 18th Century missionary.

Following the backlash, Onuakalusi immediately published another list full of Yoruba names, saying they are scheduled for a new phase of training.

He wrote in a statement, “As part of my continued commitment to human capital development and empowering our people with global exposure, skills acquisition, and professional advancement, I am pleased to announce that my constituency office remains open and active for engagement.

“In line with this vision, another batch of beneficiaries has been selected for international training opportunities in China, South Africa, and Taiwan.

“The following constituents have been shortlisted for this new phase of training:

– Omotoyosi Aberejo

– Adelakun Adeyinka

– Omotunde Adekale

– Abdulfattah Olabamiji

– Oresanya Temitope

– Abdulraheem Temidayo

– Ajikanle Babatunde

– Muhideen Bello

– Ajike Omotunrase

– Abike Abdulwaheed

– Enitoluwafe Adetunji

– Isa Bello

– Yunusa Umar

– Usman Babaginda

– Abdullah Babatope

– Omotoyese Aderibigbe

– Olayinka Grace

– Usman Nagogo

– Mary Ediale

– Chukwudi Philips

He said the initiative is part of his unwavering resolve to invest “in our people by creating access to international learning, capacity building, and life-changing opportunities that will ultimately benefit our constituency.”

However, the new list was immediately dismissed by netizens who see as a fabrication to douse the outrage his earlier action had generated.

An X user, @AlukoOluwole, said, “You and your media teams are dump to think Yoruba’s will fall for this, fabricating names that doesn’t exist just to push your ignorance agenda, people are now seeing through the lens of your biggot mindset and Igbo agenda, 2027 we all can understand better than before.”

@Adesolatim1 said, “How did we get here in the first place? You are employing 20 people and 16 of them are from the eastern of part of the country? If not for the shout you won’t come out with this imaginary list. Trust me on this, you are not returning.”

@Dr_Otitoju said, “After the criticism, he has gone to manufacture Yoruba names as upcoming beneficiaries. Whoever, believes this bullshit is an ambassador of stupidity.”

@itsmorenikee said, “AI generated names. This bastard really thinks Yorubas are stupid ”

@lasgidii001 said, “I don’t know if I should believe this or not but the fact that they’re not included yesterday, already shows you’re not a good representative of the Isolo people.”

@movie4you1122 said, “lol Yoruba first name with Muslim surnames ? How na and what the fuck is aberejo? And what is ajinkale? lol muyideen bello? Reminds me of that popular Muslim cleric, and what sort of Yoruba name is enitoluwafe? U made the same mistake with this name as u did with ajayi crowther.” (Guardian)

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