In a Memorandum on the future of Alaigbo in Nigeria released to the press,Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) presented two simple options to the People ; Viz
First Option
1.To Reconstitute Nigeria as Federal Union of Autonomous Regions.The Union shall be held together by the hallowed principle of Self Determination.Nigeria should be a Country in which all the Autonomous Regions have freely chosen to live together.In other words,Nigeria is not a Federal Union created by Conquest or Annexation.Any member of the Autonomous Region shall be free to opt out of the Federal Union ,if it so wishes
Second Option
2. This is option of Freedom from Slavery.Instead of staying in the Nigeria Federation under the present conditions analogous to conquered peoples,whose lives do not count,slaves deprived of fundamental rights to life and property,Ndigbo would Opt out of the Nigerian Federation and establish ;The Republic Of Alaigbo or The Republic of Biafra.
Details of the structure of the new federation were captured in the booklet-Memorandum of ADF on the Future of Alaigbo in Nigeria personally signed by Prof Uzodinma Nwala (ADF President) and Prof Nath Aniekwu (ADF Secretary) dated Dec 21,2017 and made available to the Public.
It should be recalled that Prof Uzodinma Nwala-The President of Alaigbo Dev Foundation has previously led the group to United Nations and US Congress to make representation on the plight of Ndigbo in Nigeria.
BVI Channel 1 gathered from reliable source that Alaigbo Dev foundation is leading a coalition of other organisations in the former eastern Nigeria to press for immediate restructuring of Nigeria.Both local and International lobbying are ongoing according to the source who wants to remain anonymous .
From Left:Chief Emmanuel Onyema(ADF Council Member),Dr Bala J. Takaya, President of the Middlebelt Forum (MBF), Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, President of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) ,Mr Gowon Usman Egbunu, a member of MBF Executive at the ADF Abuja office ,
The President of the Middlebelt Forum(MBF),Dr Bala Takaya paid a courtesy visit to the President of Alaigbo Development Foundation-Prof Nwala yesterday at ADF Abuja Office.The two Leaders held a close door meeting for hours to review the situation in the Country.The outcome of the meeting has not been released to the Press as at the time of this report.
However,Prof Nwala confirmed that both Igbo and Tiv people living in Nigeria are facing a common challange .According to Prof Nwala when contacted on the telephone ; ‘ Bala and i are good friends.I had called to congratulate him on his recent election as the President of The Middlebelt Forum(MBF).He called on me for us to exchange views on the way forward for the troubled Federal Republic in which we live.I equally sympathized with him for what the Benue people are passing through.Indeed,it appears the whole country has been invaded’.Prof Nwala concluded.
It should be noted that Igbo people in Nigeria are reaching out to other Regions in search of allies with common agenda.
The Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), a coalition of armed groups in the Niger Delta, has served noticed that 4,314 ex-militants in the region are set to renege on the terms of the Presidential Amnesty they embraced in 2008.
JRC spokesman, Cynthia Whyte, in statement sent via e-mail, yesterday, said a return to armed struggle by ex-militants could threaten oil production and cripple the economy.
Whyte said the ex-militants are worried over moves to replace the Special Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig- Gen Paul Boroh, and hijack the office to settle vested political interests.
Whyte said the central leadership of Command of the JRC believes that the action to replace Brig- Gen Paul Boroh “yet again represents a renewed attempt by unpopular, disgruntled and divisive politicians from the Niger Delta, who have never supported the amnesty programme to hijack the programme and undermine a legacy of the agitating people of the Niger Delta.”
He declared that any attempt to play politics with the issue of the region “will be firmly and vehemently resisted by combatant units scattered across the length and breadth of the Niger Delta.”
JRC also took aswipe at Niger Deltans in President Muhammadu Buhari’s, accusing them of not having the interests of the people at heart.
“If you seek peace in the Niger Delta, it must be worked for. We will never be cowed by the intentions of the ungodly. We have worked hard to keep the peace. Nothing stops us at this moment from breaking everything into pieces. We reject the antics of these failed, disgruntled and unpopular politicians and we declare that we will never be part of any engagement that includes them. It will never happen. The amnesty programme is not a parade ground where retired military officers can be quickly conscripted to command former combatants of the Niger Delta struggle. We believe that any such appointment will be a grave miscalculation and a recipe for crisis, failure, chaos and anarchy, especially as the journey to an election year begins. We, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to begin series of strong engagement across the Niger Delta with a view to selecting and recruiting capable, and tested trusted hands who will be acceptable to our people, useful to the Presidency and capable of making new friends for the president in the region.”
Meanwhile, the Pan Niger Delta Youth Forum (PANDYF) has appealed to members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to shelve a proposed attack on oil facilities and installations, in protest against the Federal Government’s perceived attitude to problems of the Niger Delta
PANDYF leaders made this call after a meeting in Yenagoa, at the weekend.
PANDYF leader, Richard Akinaka who explained issues discussed at the meeting said the region has gone beyond the phase of using violence to drive home its point and also, noted that what the region needs is to engage government in an intellectual dialogue that would bring desired results.
This is the text of Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu’s famous interview with Dennis Ejindu in May 1967. This interview took place just before the start of the civil war. It is probably the most detailed question and answer session with Major Nzeogwu.
Ejindu: I am glad to meet you, Sir. How would you feel if you knew that you are being regarded as a hero?
Nzeogwu: Very pleased naturally. But the truth is that I am not a hero. If there was any famous Major Nzeogwu, I have never heard of him.
Ejindu: It is rumoured that you have just finished writing a book, what is it like?
Nzeogwu: Good gracious! Ninety-nine per cent of all the stories you hear in this country are false. I have not written any book because there was nothing to write about. You can only write about a finished job. It would have been a useful means of warding off boredom though, but one did not do it for the fear that the authorities might seize the papers. However I had enough time to make detailed notes on what happened, and one might use them if in future there was any need to write something.
Ejindu: Before you went into prison, the cloud was so clear above this country that one could see very far into the future. Now that you are out, what do you see?
Nzeogwu: A job very badly done. If I may borrow your metaphor, the atmosphere is admittedly somewhat cloudy. But I don’t think there will be rain. Indeed if you look steadily up you will find that the sun is not yet set and might still peep through. The trouble is that people generally can’t tell which is a rain cloud and which is not, and as a result they tend to be confused. As you know there is too much bitterness at present in the country, and in the past people had imagined that they could conveniently do without one another. But the bitterness will clear in the end and they will find that they are not as self-reliant as they had thought. And they will long to be together…. The .same applies to the Northerners. It may take ten or fifteen years for them to come together again but there is no doubt, as far as I can see, that they will. You see, in this world of imperfection, it is sometimes very difficult to capture the ideal. But we can, at least start with the second best.
Ejindu: What is the second best?
Nzeogwu: A Confederation.
Ejindu: Before I come back to that, may 1 take you back to January, 1966. What exactly happened at Nassarawa (the premier’s residence at Kaduna) on the night of the 14th?
Nzeogwu: No, no, no; don’t ask me anything about that, I don’t want to remember it.
Ejindu: All right. A lot has been talked and written about the January coup. But how tribalistic was it really in conception and execution?
Nzeogwu: In the North, no. In the South, yes. We were five in number, and initially we knew quite clearly what we wanted to do. We had a short list of people who were either undesirable for the future progress of the country or who by their positions at the time had to be sacrificed for peace and stability. Tribal considerations were completely out of our minds at this stage. But we had a set-back in the execution. Both of us in the North did our best. But the other three who were stationed in the South failed because of incompetence and misguided considerations in the eleventh hour. The most senior among them was in charge of a whole brigade and had all the excuse and opportunity in the world to mobilize his troops anywhere, anyhow and any time. He did it badly. In Lagos, even allowing for one or two genuine mistakes, the job was badly done. The Mid-West was never a big problem. But in the East, our major target, nothing practically was done. He and the others let us down.
Ejindu: You must have anticipated that Gen. Ironsi would let you down in the end. Why did you surrender to him the way you did?
Nzeogwu: I was being sensible. The last thing we desired was unnecessary waste of life. If I had stuck to my guns there would have been a civil war, and as the official head of the Army, he would have split the loyalty of my men. Again, you must remember that the British and other foreigners were standing by to help him. Our purpose was to change our country and make it a place we could be proud to call our home, not to wage war.
Ejindu: It has been said that Gen. Ironsi set out to complete your job for you. Was there anything you did not like in his administration?
Nzeogwu: Yes, everything. First he chose the wrong advisers for the work he halfheartedly set out to do. Most of them were either mediocre or absolutely unintelligent. Secondly, he was tribalistic in the appointment of his governors. Thirdly the Decree 34 was unnecessary, even silly in fact.
Ejindu: But you wanted a unitary government?
Nzeogwu: No. Not a unitary government as such. We wanted to see a strong centre. We wanted to cut the country to small pieces, making the centre inevitably strong. We did not want to toy with power, which was what he did.
Ejindu: Tell me, what do you think of him as a soldier?
Nzeogwu: I am afraid I cannot tell you that. But I will say that as a person he was very well liked and as the Supreme Commander, his orders were promptly carried out.
Ejindu: If he joined the Army as a gunner, he must have progressed as a military strategist?
Nzeogwu: Yes, if he had, he could have done so. But he actually joined the Army as a tally-clerk and was a clerk most of the time.
Ejindu: From the present chaos, what type of Nigeria do you envisage?
Nzeogwu: In the first place, secession will be ill-advised, indeed impossible. Even if the East fights a war of secession and wins, it still cannot secede. Personally, I don’t like secession and if this country disintegrates, I shall pack up my things and go. In the present circumstances, confederation is the best answer as a temporary measure. In time, we shall have complete unity. Give this country a confederation and, believe me, in ten or fifteen years the young men will find it intolerable, and will get together to change it. And it is obvious we shall get a confederation or something near it. Nothing will stop that.
Ejindu: Do you think there will be any war?
Nzeogwu: No. Nobody wants to fight. The East which is best equipped and best prepared for war, does not want to attack anybody. The North cannot fight. And Lagos cannot fight now. If they had attacked the East in August or September, they would have had a walk-over. Today, I think they will be ill-advised to try.
Ejindu: An Englishman said to me the other day that the best thing Ojukwu can do is to take over Lagos. Do you think he can do it even if he wanted to?
Nzeogwu: Yes, I think the East is strong enough to do it if they want to. But it will serve no useful purpose. It can only serve to destroy life and property. You see, the effective power does not lie in Lagos but in Kaduna, and if you remove Gowon somebody else will take his place. If you capture the South against the North, all you can achieve is civil war, disintegration and border clashes.
Ejindu: Finally, let me come to the controversy over your release. Much as it has been a popular action you have been released by the east government against the wish of the federal government. What do you say to that?
Nzeogwu: All I can say is that I am happy and grateful to be out. We feel grateful to the Nsukka students for their persistent demand, and to the boys in the barracks for their pressure on the authorities in the east. And to the Nigerian public in general for their concern over our welfare.
Human Rights Activist, and famous lawyer Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Kpotum Idris for high-handedness and Abuse of office in ordering the illegal arrest and detention of online journalists, Daniel Elombah and Tim Elombah.
Keyamo who made the request in a letter written to President Buhari dated 15, January accused the IGP of displaying personal vendetta by refusing to release Tim Elombah long after the detention order granted by an Area Court Judge has expired.
The Senior Advocate who narrated how the Elombah brothers were abducted from their home town in Edoji, Uruagu Nnewi, Anambra state, said that a situation where Mr President’s appointees ride rough shod over innocent citizens or use the positions to which Mr President appointed them to settle personal scores should, ordinarily, rankle the President and cause him to intervene.
“Your Excellency, it is shocking and alarming, to say the least, that the Inspector-General of Police deployed the officers and men of special police squads like SARS and STS, which are established to fight serious and violent crimes, to settle a purely private grievance with on-line journalists. If at all an offence was committed by the said published article (which is not conceded) a simple civil invitation to our clients would have sufficed. But to use such strong-arm tactics to reign in our clients was a gross abuse of his office and an employment of stone-age tactics in pursuing his personal grievance.
“He has further displayed his personal vendetta by refusing to release Tim Elombah long after the detention order has expired. This is one of the worst forms of abuse of human rights.
“Your Excellency, such practices should be clearly unacceptable under your watch. A situation where your appointees ride rough shod over innocent citizens or use the positions to which you appointed them to settle personal scores should, ordinarily, rankle you and cause you to intervene. It should be more so as the substance of the matter has to do with the criticism of the personal life of a public officer by the Fourth Estate of the Realm, a practice that has come to be recognized as one of the components of a thriving democracy. If a public officer cannot tolerate or stomach harsh criticisms, he has no business occupying public office.
“It is in the light of the above we urge you to use your good offices to order an investigation into this crass display of power and indiscretion by the Inspector-General of Police and mete out appropriate sanctions against him, which may include the extreme step of relieving him of his position.”
The petition reads said that “On or about the 1st day of January, 2018, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, caused the men and officers of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad to invade the family compound of our clients in Edoji, Uruagu Nnewi, Anambra State. Six persons (including our clients) were arrested, handcuffed like common criminals and driven to the SARS office in Nnewi. They were subsequently taken to the SARS headquarters in Awkuzu, near Awka. Up till this point, our clients were not informed of the reason(s) for their arrests.
“It was at SARS headquarters in Awkuzu that our clients were handed over to other armed officers who identified themselves as being from Special Tactical Squad, S.T.S, a team that works directly in the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris. Our clients and one Izuchukwu Elombah were then taken all the way by road (and in handcuffs) to Abuja.
“It was in Abuja that the officers then subjected our clients to hours of grueling interrogation regarding an article published in another blog called opinionnigeria.com, titled ‘IGP Ibrahim Idris’s Unending Baggage of Controversies”. The article in question was not published by our clients’ blog, Elombah.com, and our clients denied any link to the author, one Ebiowei Dickson. Daniel and Izuchukwu Elombah were eventually released on bail, but have been made to report constantly since then.
“However, the Police got a Remand Order to detain Tim for seven days which expired more than a week ago and the Police are still holding Tim illegally. We now understand that the Police have prepared a Charge against our clients and they would soon be arraigned.
The Principal of Government Science Secondary School, Nassarawa-Eggon, and three other officials have been suspended for one month for meting out corporal punishment to some students.
The state Commissioner of Education, Mr. Tijjani Ahmed, who confirmed this to Northern City News on Thursday in Lafia, said the state government had banned corporal punishments in public schools across the 13 local government areas and 18 development areas of the state.
Ahmed explained that the decision followed the beating of some students of GSS, Nassarawa-Eggon, the video of which had gone viral in the social media.
He said, “We have constituted a committee to investigate the matter and report to the ministry in the next one week to enable the ministry to take appropriate action.
“Already, three staff members of the school including the Principal have been given a one-month suspension over their involvement in the corporal punishment pending the report of the committee set up by the ministry.”
He explained that the ministry had also written to all public schools informing their managements of the ban on corporal punishment.
He further warned teachers meting out corporal punishment to students to desist “as anyone caught would face disciplinary action.”
The education commissioner stated that “even if teachers would want to punish students for any offence, it should be minor punishment.”
He added that the government would continue to respond to the challenges facing the education sector in the state.
When our correspondent visited the school, the suspended school officials were not on duty, but it was gathered that the management had decided to stop punishing students who resumed late to avoid sanctions.
The white, horse-drawn carriage, preceded by a royal trumpeter in brown Ankara attire, carefully wove its way through the crowd.
The other vehicles in the convoy – three black sports utility vehicles and a limousine – moved slowly behind the carriage.
An Agere performer – a masquerade-like man moving on stilts and donning green buba and sokoto made of ofi fabrics – guided the procession.
The spectacle was scintillating. As soon as the convoy came into view and the crowd got a glimpse of the personalities inside the vehicles, a loud and long ovation erupted from the confines of the expansive stadium.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Aare Ganiyu Abiodun Adams, alighted from the royal carriage, and the crowd as well as the scores of cameramen and photographers, became nearly uncontrollable. It took the efforts of dozens of security agents to lead the two men of the moment and their entourage, including Ayinba Mojisola, Aare Adams’ wife, to their seats at the high table, where several men and women of means were already seated.
And as both the king and the generalissimo leisurely strutted to their seats, Ajobiewe, the popular Yoruba griot, launched into a long panegyric of the Alaafin’s pedigree and the heroics of his ancestors.
“You are the son of death whom death must not touch; you are the one that kills and the victim’s parents would return, in trepidation, to express gratitude,” Ajobiewe told the revered monarch.
The bard also sang the paeans of Gani Adams, narrating how the National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) had been fighting to promote Yoruba interests and how he truly merited the generalissimo’s sceptre.
Date was Saturday, January 13, 2018, and venue was the Durbar Stadium, Oyo, the once powerful capital of the old Yoruba Empire. It was the final and most anticipated lap of an event that had dominated public discourse in recent times. It was the day Gani Adams would be installed the new Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin.
The event was billed for 11am, but as early as six that morning, all roads leading to the stadium were already very busy. By eight, getting inside the stadium had become a herculean endeavour. Security agents, made up of hundreds of police personnel, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others, supported by hundreds of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) guards had a hectic time controlling the crowd and ensuring that only identifiable guests were allowed inside.
But that Saturday wasn’t the start of the coronation process. The journey actually began on Sunday, October 17, last year, when the Alaafin proclaimed the then Otunba Gani Adams the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo. The monarch said that the new commander of Yoruba military forces would be installed on January 13.
Oba Adeyemi had, in the proclamation letter, described Gani Adams as a distinguished son of Oduduwa and a Yoruba man in whom there is no guile.
“He is equipped by God with the vitality of youth, the agility of the long distance runner, unblemished patriotism, and the wisdom of Solomon. His antecedents in the promotion of Yoruba culture are unquestionable and he has a clear vision of where the nation should be, in its cultural reawakening, both at home and overseas.
“Since his days in OPC, formed to defend Yoruba interests at a very critical period, at a time the Yoruba needed it most, he has been going all over the world, promoting the language and the tradition of Yoruba people through his OPU. He has been promoting our festivals through his Olokun Festival Foundation. All these made him the natural choice for the position of Aare Ona Kakanfo, the generalissimo of the Yoruba nation.”
Culture
A masquerade and his attendants created a scene at the event. As he drifted to and fro inside the stadium, making some guttural sounds, his attendants followed him with massive heaps of fodder with which they attempted to set the masquerade on fire. They persistently torched the masquerade’s costume, yet it never ignited.
Devotees of assorted Yoruba religions were also there in their numbers, each clothed in traditional regalia. And sundry artefacts with Aare Gani Adams’ name inscribed on them were also on sale.
Seclusion
Although last Saturday was the coronation day, the process didn’t start that day. The pre-installation rites started on Wednesday, January 10, when the Kakanfo-designate was received by the chairman of the planning committee, an Oyo prince and retired Methodist Bishop, Ayo Ladigbolu. He was thereafter taken into seclusion somewhere in Oyo, where the rites typically done on the traditional generalissimo were concluded. The process was concluded on Friday evening when the new Aare emerged at the palace, accompanied by a number of women clad in red. The new Kakanfo was clothed in white, as usual, with a red wrapper draped around his body, and a dark scarf covering his head. He was also clutching an embroidered white sceptre.
Oyo agog
On Saturday, Oyo Town was filled to the brim. There were gridlocks in virtually all roads in the town, as thousands of people trooped in from all over the country and beyond. Motorists, apart from very important personalities like the governor, had to park their vehicles at an open field close to the stadium. Around the gate was a chaotic, rowdy atmosphere, with people struggling to enter the stadium.
Durbar Stadium itself donned an animated mien. Operatives of the various security outfits, OPC guards and other protocol officials had taken position inside and outside the stadium since early in the day. Well-decorated large tents, marked for different categories of dignitaries, stood on the field. In the different tents were politicians, monarchs, who came to the event from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo and other places, members of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) from Europe, Asia and North America. Members of the OPC and OPU, both led by the Kakanfo, had their own tents. Other dignitaries took their seats at the stands.
In the interim, while the crowd awaited the arrival of the chief host and Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, different cultural troupes from South-West states performed, to the admiration of many.
Shortly after, the chief host, Governor Ajimobi, arrived for the event, and the programme commenced with traditional prayers by Sango and Ifa priests, led by the Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon.
In his welcome address, chairman of the planning committee, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu explained why it was necessary to have an Aare Ona Kakanfo at this time. He traced the history of the office, noting that it was created in the 16th century by Alaafin Ajagbo to serve as the commander of the Yoruba army. The Alaafin subsequently appointed one of his friends, Kokoro Gangan, from Iwoye, in the present Benin Republic, as the first generalissimo.
The retired bishop also dismissed the myth that the title always brought misery and ruin upon its holders. In his words, the Aare Ona Kakanfo title was not a death certificate: “A former Kakanfo, Ojo Aburumaku, died in his house; he wasn’t at the warfront. Aare Latosa also did not die at the warfront. They died in their homes.”
He urged all Yoruba sons and daughters to support the new Aare in his efforts to bring back the values and ethos once cherished across Yorubaland.
No regrets appointing Adams
Also in his speech, the Alaafin debunked the belief that past Aare Ona Kakanfos all suffered violent deaths.
Said the monarch: “This is the last Aare Ona Kakanfo I am to install. The myth that every Aare Ona Kakanfo in the history of Yorubaland 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 considered his immense contributions to the socio-cultural development of the Yoruba people. I am deeply convinced 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 appointing Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo.”
From Kokoro Gangan to Gani Adams
Shortly after, the real installation was done. Oba Adeyemi invited the over 400 Yoruba monarchs at the event to move to the centre of the pitch. Then the monarch, along with the Aare, walked with magisterial gait to the enclosure where 15 calabashes had been arranged, each symbolically belonging to a past Kakanfo. With the monarchs watching the proceedings, Aare Adams picked the 15 calabashes one by one, paid homage to the owner and the Alaafin, and then proceeded to bless the Yoruba race and himself. He beseeched God to let peace reign in Yorubaland during his term. He then listed the names of the past Aare Ona Kakanfos, Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye (Benin Republic); Oyapote of Iwoye (Benin Republic); Oyabi of Ajase (Benin Republic); Adeta of Jabata; Oku of Jabata; Afonja of Ilorin; Toyeje of Ogbomoso; Edun of Gbogun; Amepo of Abemo (Benin Republic); Kurunmi of Ijaiye; Ojo Abururuku of Ogbomoso; Latosa of Ibadan; S.L. Akintola of Ogbomoso; and MKO Abiola of Abeokuta.
After successfully carrying the 15 calabashes, the crowd rewarded the new Aare with a standing ovation. The new Aare was then clothed in a new coat – the harvested skin of a leopard, which he proudly donned atop his white agbada. His head was also garlanded with the generalissimo’s coronet.
In his acceptance speech, Aare Adams informed the gathering that his installation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo was a challenge that had made all past challenges seem like a child’s play.
Said Adams: “The epoch-making event of today is symbolic, as 2018 marks the 558th anniversary of the installation of the first Aare Ona Kakanfo – Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye.
“It is of interest to note that the military, political, traditional and cultural symbolism of the title to the Yoruba Empire, about 600 years ago, is still of strategic importance in the 21st Century. This attribute reveals the uniqueness of the Yoruba race and shows that so much is still expected of the occupant of the post, despite the fact that physical and armed wars are no longer the order of the day.
“The import of the office still stands: protection of the interests of the Yoruba race, both within the country and everywhere people of the race exist.”
Asserting that the preservation of the Yoruba culture would be his first assignment, Aare Adams regretted that people of other races were more interested in the culture that the owners. He promised that his tenure would be tailored towards building bridges of unity.
“Inasmuch as the focus of my struggle has changed over the years, from the heady days of the OPC to the spread of our culture through the formation of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), which is now in 79 countries, the Olokun Festival Foundation, Gani Adams Foundation and many others, this new responsibility, despite my age, has unwittingly forced the stature of a statesman on me. I promise to live up to that calling.
“In this regard, I will work with our traditional rulers, grassroots leaders and have good rapport with all stakeholders, no matter the differences of the past, for the unity, progress and advancement of Yorubaland and Nigeria.
“The office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo will project the Yoruba culture and tradition by promoting and sustaining our identity globally. Also of strategic importance to me is research and documentaries to sustain the ideals of our founding fathers,” he said.
He pledged to give scholarships to Yoruba sons and daughters and also collaborate with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure adequate security across Yorubaland. He also promised to launch an Aare Ona Kakanfo Foundation and a website to document facts about the office and its past holders. He appealed to the federal government to quickly fix some of the critical roads in Yorubaland. These include Lagos-Ibadan, Oyo-Ilorin, Lagos-Badagry, Sagamu-Benin, Badagry-Lusada-Sokoto, Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo, Osogbo-Ilesa, Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Lokoja and Lagos-Abeokuta roads.
He advocated restructuring as a key factor for development in Nigeria, adding that every person that loves the 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 promise not to let anyone down,” he said.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Toye Arulogun, said the appointment and installation of Aare Gani Adams by the Alaafin was in order. He prayed that the tenure of the new Aare would be peaceful and bring more peace and unity to Yorubaland.
Among the dignitaries at the event were top politicians, members of National Assembly, state lawmakers, past governors, eminent businessmen, over 400 royal fathers, union leaders, OPU delegates from 79 countries, OPU members and hundreds of others.
A thanksgiving service to round off Oba Adeyemi’s 47th coronation anniversary and appreciate God for Aare Adams’ installation was held the following day, Sunday, January 14 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Agogo, Oyo City. The new Kakanfo has since returned home to Lagos, from where he would be criss-crossing Yorubaland in fulfilment of his new mandate.
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From Left:Chief Emmanuel Onyema(ADF Council Member),Dr Bala J. Takaya, President of the Middlebelt Forum (MBF), Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, President of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) ,Mr Gowon Usman Egbunu, a member of MBF Executive at the ADF Abuja office ,
