Having had 14 generalissimos occupied the position of Aare Ona Kakanfo in the history of the Yoruba people, the Alaafin of Oyo with the support of the Yoruba traditional rulers and the general Yoruba people in the world finally installed the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress and Oodua Progressive Union, Otunba Gani Adams as the fifteenth Aare Ona Kakanfo exactly 20 years after the demise of the last Aare Ona Kankafo; Bashorun MKO Abiola.
The historic event which assembled over 400 traditional rulers in Nigeria and Benin Republic, incumbent and past South-West Nigerian governors, senators, Yoruba cultural activists, members of the Oodu’a People’s Congress (OPC) and Oodua’s Progressive Union (OPU) with countless well-wishers across the globe attended the installation, which took place at the Durbar Stadium on January 13, 2018 in the celebration of the installation of the Aare Ona Kankafo.
The position of the Aare Ona Kakanfo is the only grand political symbolism of unity that exists among the Yoruba people irrespective of differences, which is authenticated by the great number of people that attended the memorial occasion.
While talking at the occasion, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, disclosed that he is not interested in the installation of another Aare Ona Kakanfo in his lifetime.
He said ” This is the last Aare Ona Kakanfo I am to install. The myth that every Aare Ona Kakanfo in the history of Yoruba land dies a violent death is not your portion. Your appointment would make a positive history and you will not be a victim of the violent death.
“The appointment of Gani Adams is deliberate because I consider his immense contributions to the socio-cultural development of the Yoruba people. I have deeply convinced me that Gani Adams is up to the task of discharging the responsibilities of being an Aare Ona Kakanfo. The vast majority of people here to witness the installation means absolute acceptance of Gani Adams by the people. I have no regrets about appointing Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo,” he concluded
In the speech of Otunba Gani Adams, he said ”Glory be to the Almighty God for taking me this far in the call to service. I deeply appreciate.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, for appointing me as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land
“Giving respect to the past Aare Ona Kankafos in Yoruba Land, starting from the first Aare Ona Kankafo, Kokoro Ngangan (Iwoye Contonou), to the second Oyatop (Iwoye Contonou), to the third Oyebi (Ajaa Contonou, to the fourth Adeta (Jabata), to the fifth Oku (Jabata), to the sixth Afonja(Ilorin), to the seventh Toyeje (Ogbomoso), to the eighth Edun (Gbogun), to the ninthAmepo (Abewo Contonou), to the tenth Kurunmi (Ijaiye), to the eleventh Ojo Abururuku (Ogbomoso) to the twelfth Latosa (Ibadan), to the thirteenth S.L. Akintola (Ogbomoso) and to the fourteenth M.K.O. Abiola (Abeokuta), for their contribution to the growth and development of the Yoruba land and their defence in the protection of the Yoruba race from external forces.
“With full assurance, I’m happy to inform the general public that my era as the Aare Ona Kakanfo is a period of peace and not war. My main focus is to develop the tourism potentialities in Nigeria through our cultural artefacts.
“My service is not restricted to Yoruba land alone. We are all one Nigeria. Many countries in Africa and the world at large depend solely on tourism. Considering the uniqueness of the tourism sector of Nigeria, I think the government need to focus and channel energy in the development of tourism.
“Presently the Olokun Festival Foundation sponsors and participate in festivals across Yoruba land, which include Eledumare Festival, Ajagunmale Festival, Osun Osogbo, Olokun festival, Oya festival, Odun festival among many others, all these festivals attract tourists across the globe.
“I have been receiving mails and calls as regards restructuring, I am in full support of restructuring in Nigeria. This will stabilise the political and economic tension in the country. Restructuring is a key factor for development in Nigeria. I believe every person in love of growth and development in the country should support restructuring.
“I appreciate all the persons present here today for the celebration of my installation. I am deeply grateful for the support ever since I have been proclaimed as the Aare Ona Kakanfo. I promised not to let anyone down,” He concluded.
In an interview with the leader of Oodua’s Progressive Union (OPU) in Diaspora and the Ekiti State governorship aspirant, Akogun Banji Ojo, he said “Working with my leader, Otunba Gani Adams for many years, the leadership skills he exhibited are worthy of emulation. Although he has been awarded over fifty chieftaincy titles by Yoruba Royal fathers, among the titles are Ajagungbade of Oodua Land, Akogungbede of Ode Omu, Ajagunla of Aala Land, Jagunmolu Olu-Ode of Ibadan Land, Otunba Atayese of Igosun Ekiti among many others. This is a perfect reflection of the reward and recognition of his self-service to humanity and the Yoruba people.
“The Alaafin of Oyo, our father Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has made a significant history in Yoruba land with his selection of Otunba Gani Adams as Aare Ona Kakanfo. I know the Aare Ona Kakanfo as a strong believer in the cultural orientation and values of Yoruba people. He is a person that I have travelled with in carrying out cultural crusade in Europe, Asia, South America, Britain and many parts of the world.
“As a leader of Oodua Progressive Union in 79 countries, this is a union that can be credited to Otunba Gani Adams. This cultural group can be said to be the largest socio-cultural group in Diaspora. The person of Otunba Gani Adams has displayed efforts to help the less-privileged in the society, he is a force for the defence of others. His appointment is right, I strongly believe in his person in all ramifications of life”, he concluded.
Talking to Erelu Asa, Duchess Funmi Rotiba, she commented “Otunba Gani Adams is an optimistic leader, he has supported and stood for his people for many years. He is an erudite promoter of Yoruba culture and tradition, he is a known traditionalist and charismatic leader of our time, he has always defended the weak and oppressed in the society.
“He is a teacher that teaches nothing but fairness and truth. He is a scholar that I respect his intellectual prowess; his appointment is a blessing to the Yoruba people,” she concluded.
In an interview with the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Honourable Toye Arulogun, he said “I am happy with the appointment of Otunba Gani Adams as the Aare Ona Kakanfo, the position being vacant for 20 years has been worrisome to culturally and politically conscious people. The kind of person to step into the position is another worrisome part, but the appointment of Otunba Gani Adams is a perfect choice made by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III and the wide acceptance of the people crowned the choice made by Iku Baba Yeye,” he concluded.
Source: http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/cultural-tourism-focus-aare-ona-kakanfo-gani-adams/
