Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has called for unity and collaboration among the Yoruba, saying doing so would make it difficult for enemies within and without to penetrate, suppress or disable the race.
Iba Adams made the call at the weekend while speaking at the event organised to celebrate his installation as the 15th Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, which took place at Agidingbi, Ikeja, insisting on the need to continue to promote the culture and tradition of the race, to ensure that they do not go into extinction.
The event was attended by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu represented by the White Cap Chiefs; the Oba of Aguda land, Oba Lateef Agbaosi; Oba AbdulLateef Amodemaja, Chief Kessington Adebutu represented by Aare Oyefeso; Ogbeni Lanre Banjo, Dr Akintunde Ayeni represented by Dr. Temitayo Adeoba; Chief Dare Babarinsa, High Chief Gani Kola Balogun, Bishop Kayode Williams, Chief Tunde Buhari, Prof. Ken Duru, Chief Gboyega Salvador, among others.
The Yoruba generalissimo, while calling on Yoruba people to guide the culture and tradition and project them by not allowing distraction, noted that even the British do promote theirs, recalling what happened during the burial rites and funeral ceremony of the Late Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, where rams were offered for sacrifice for her burial.
Adams, however, lauded the Yoruba monarchs for ensuring unity, collaboration and promotion of the tradition and culture of the Yoruba race to retain its pride among committees of nations across the world.
Speaking further, Iba Adams said the day’s event was to show appreciation to people who had been standing by him in the last seven years as the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, recalling that those who counselled him against taking up the exalted stool bestowed on him by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, were more in number than those in support.
According to him, those against did so because they were not comfortable, as they felt those who had been before him did not stay long on the seat, citing the Late Ladoke Akintola and the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola as examples.
He, however, said he took the position with strong faith and conviction that he would live long to fulfil his destiny for the unity and progress of the Yoruba race.
“When I was to take over the stool, a lot of people were against it because they were not comfortable because they felt that those who had occupied the position before me did not last in office, so only few people were in support,” Adams said.
Adams, however, pointed out that records had since shown that a lot of past Aareonakakanfos spent many years on the stool, pointing out that Afonja, among others stayed in office for many years before they died.
The Yoruba generalissimo, while urging Yoruba to believe strongly in their culture, antecedents and tradition, said whoever does otherwise cannot liberate his or her people.
He said part of the duties bestowed on the Aareonakakanfo were to lead the battlefront and champion the promotion of the race’s cultural and traditional identity, noting that through the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) led by him, he had been championing the Yoruba tradition and culture across the globe successfully for many years now.
The event, which featured Sir Sina Peter, taken to stage to sing in honour of Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Adams; cultural dances, and cutting of cake, also featured the Gani Adams Foundation giving awards to some university students.
The awardees include Miss Majolagbe Ganiyat Tolulope from the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; Miss Dosunmu Adewunmi Mutiat from the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile -Ife, Osun State; Miss Stella Onyinyechi Obianor from the College of Humanity, Tai Solarin University, Ogun State and Master Adebayo Ayoade Rasaki from the Faculty of Chemical Science, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, who were awarded scholarship as best indigent students as part of programmes for the celebration of the 7th Installation anniversary of Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land.
Speaking on the scholarship, Iba Adams said it was aimed at encouraging the students across the South-West, pointing out that the gesture was his own way of impacting the lives of brilliant students, who were the best in their respective disciplines in the higher institutions across the region.
Also at the event which drew dignitaries, including prominent monarchs from Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Ondo and Ekiti states were members of the Aare- In- Council, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and Oodua Progressive Union.
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