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Tag: Adams

  • Adams: why I celebrate my birthday annually

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, has given reasons why he celebrates his birthday every year.

    Addressing reporters at his Omole Phase II, Lagos, home at the weekend, he said the annual event was to appreciate God’ s blessings in his life.

    He said: “Monday, April 30, is my birthday. I will turn 48. It is my usual tradition to celebrate it in a big way.

    “I often tell people that each year, I celebrate my birthday to receive more blessings from God. Over the years, God has been so good to me and my family.

    “I can’t thank God enough for the blessings I receive from him annually. I always have reasons to celebrate my birthday. This is why I invite people across the world to celebrate with me.”

    Adams said the birthday party had become his annual ritual, adding that it was good to appreciate God.

    He said he would use the event to host his admirers.

    Dignitaries expected at this year’s event include traditional rulers from the Southwest, governors, top businessmen and women, members of the National Coordinating Council of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), members of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in 82 countries and politicians.

    Adams is the 15th Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland.

    He is the National Coordinator of OPC, Global Convener of OPU and Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation.

    This year’s edition of his birthday holds tomorrow at Martino’s Hotel, Jobi Fele Way, opposite Corporate Affairs Commission, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, from 12pm.

     

     

  • Why we celebrate Eledumare Festival, by Adams

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba, Aare Gani Adams, has given reasons for the celebration of Eledumare Festival.

    The Yoruba Generalissimo spoke at the grand finale of the festival at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

    He restated the need for the Yoruba to celebrate God by organising a festival solely for the Supreme Being.

    Adams said the eighth edition of the festival began 21 days ago with several activities, including Harvest of Praise, a football competition and fashion show.

    He added: “God is worthy of worship. Praise is the only key that opens all doors. Our organisation, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), through Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), is the only group that celebrates Eledumare Festival. I am very grateful to God that we are all alive to witness this glorious day.

    “Considering the tremendous growth in our group, most especially on the strength of our group in the Diaspora, on behalf the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) – in 79 countries – I am pleased to tell you that our best is yet to come.”

     

     

  • Adams gets global awards

    The world-wide Grand Board of Directors of the International Chartered World Learned Society yesterday honoured the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba, Aare Gani Adams, with two prestigious awards in his Lagos office.

    The first is The Most Notable and Top Leader of the 21st Century, while the second is the Life Fellow of the International World Learned Society.

    The two awards were presented to Adams in recognition of his contributions to the development of the Yoruba race, especially in the area of rights activism.

    Presenting the awards, the Vice Chancellor of Crown University College in Accra, Ghana, Prof Bashir Aremu, said the institution was recognised in all the continents of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe and America.

    He said the board of directors encouraged service to humanity, especially by those who sacrifice for the good of all.

    Aremu said: “I have come to appreciate you on your various contributions to the development of Nigeria and the Yoruba race in particular.

    “I have come to tell you that the world has reserved a special place in the book of history for people like you for their exemplary leadership qualities.”

     

     

  • Prepare for leadership roles, Adams tells OPC members

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba, Aare Gani Adams, has urged members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to get ready for higher responsibilities.

    The Aare spoke at this year’s edition of leadership training retreat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Adams said leadership is about service to humanity, adding that one of the best virtues of a leader is to get prepared for future challenges.

    The Aare, who also restated his commitment to defend the interests of the Yoruba race, advised OPC members to be vigilant, particularly against herdsmen who attack and kill innocent people across the country.

    He warned them not to take undue advantage of the accommodating nature of the Yoruba race.

    Adams said: “The Yoruba, by nature, are very accommodating. We are brave and courageous. However, we will not allow the indiscriminate killings of our people. We will resist any attempt by the herdsmen to spill innocent blood in the Southwest.”

    In his lecture, Dr. Abiola Ayankunbi, harped on team work and leadership as a recipe for success and development in all organisations.

    He urged OPC members to have a team spirit, saying it is needed most to advance the ideals of the organisation.

    Ayankunbi said: “We are in a new world where everybody must have a little knowledge about everything that happens in the world. This is the reality of the new world where everybody is a stakeholder. In doing this, we all have our different but complementary roles to play in ensuring a better society.”

    The training was organised by the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) in conjunction with the Oyo State chapter of OPC to train and retrain members on the need to be responsible in their dealings.

     

  • Adams hails Ambode for promoting Yoruba language

    Adams hails Ambode for promoting Yoruba language

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, has said Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is a foremost patriot “who will continue to receive the blessings of Yoruba leaders for his promotion of our language and culture”.

    Adams, who was referring to last Thursday’s signing by Ambode of the Yoruba Promotion Bill into ‘Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Law’.

    He said: “Any country or state that forgets its language will eventually forget its culture and such a political entity will soon become extinct. I thank Governor Ambode for proving that he is, indeed, a true son of Yoruba land.

    “For what Governor Ambode has just done, the gods of our land will continue to bless him and I am sure all our traditional rulers will also pray for him for promoting our language and culture.”

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Events and Strategy, Gbobaniyi Femi Davies, the Aare Ona Kakanfo described the action of the governor as “historic”.

    Last Thursday, Ambode, at the signing ceremony, declared that the law would make it mandatory for pupils in Lagos State to be admitted “into any of our tertiary institutions with a credit in Yoruba language and Yoruba will now become a major requirement for you to engage in normal business communication in Lagos State”.

  • Adams seeks better relationship, peace for Yoruba

    Adams seeks better relationship, peace for Yoruba

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba, Gani Adams, has said there is need for the race to have a better relationship and peaceful co-existence with the rest of the world.

    Adams spoke yesterday in Lagos when he visited the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany.

    Adams, who arrived the consul’s office at 11 a.m with his entourage, was received by the consular, Mr. Ingo Herbert.

    Giving reasons for the visit, Adams said as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, it is important for him to interact with the international community to promote the Yoruba culture, seek a better relationship and forge a better economic tie among top European countries.

    He said from history, Aare Ona Kakanfo is a unique and the most prestigious title in Yoruba land, created about 558 years ago by Alaafin Ajagbo to defend and protect the interest of the Yoruba race.

    Adams described the past holders of the title as brave and courageous personalities.

    He said: “With due respect to the past holders of the title, as a modern holder of the title, we are not fighting any war at the moment. It is time for peace. I am here to promote our cultural identity and enhance economic ties with Germany.”

    The Aare Ona Kakanfor described the Yoruba race as a nucleus in Nigeria with over 70 million people and about 250 million across the world.

    Adams said: “I am here to seek a better relationship between my office and the office of the Consular General and see how we can benefit from the relationship.

    “As a regular traveller, I have been to over 54 countries across the world. I have visited Hamburg and other great cities in Germany.

    “I have a formidable structure across the country, most especially in the Southwest, with the Oodua Progressive union (OPU) in 79 countries. I think we can forge a better relationship.”

    Herbert congratulated Adams on his new title.

    He expressed his readiness to facilitate a lasting relationship with the office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo, especially on the need to enlighten Nigerians on the danger of illegal migration to European countries.

     

  • We’ll resist turning our land into killing field, says Adams

    We’ll resist turning our land into killing field, says Adams

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba, Dr. Gani Adams, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to mandate security agents to “arrest blood-thirsty maniacs masquerading as herdsmen and bring them to justice to avoid a breakdown of law and order”.

    He said: “The first fundamental right of a Nigerian is the right to life. It is when you are alive that you can enjoy other rights. Once this right is taken away from you through any form of killing, you cannot enjoy any other right. Nigerians demand the right to life.

    “More than a thousand Nigerians have been killed in the last one year. Is Nigeria at war? There is more to all these killings.”

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Aderemi, the Yoruba Generalissimo also described the killing of the Officer-in-Charge of Saki Unit of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Oyo State Police Command by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday night as “one killing too many”.

    The Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Union (OPU) decried the spate of insecurity in the country.

    The SARS operative, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was macheted to death by suspected Fulani herdsmen during an operation in a forest on the Saki-Ogbooro Road in Oke-Ogun area of the state.

    According to him, all right-thinking Nigerians must condemn activities of killers “who are now bold enough to start killing security officers”.

    Adams said the Yoruba would resist conspiracy “aimed at killing our people at will”.

  • Adams goes to church

    Adams goes to church

    After the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, became Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, it was interesting to hear from him how he clinched his new position. Adams was on January 13 installed as the generalissimo of the Yoruba people by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at an elaborate event at the Durbar Stadium, Oyo.

    Adams spoke about some things that happened behind the scenes before he was chosen for the centuries-old traditional title last October.  It was at a special thanksgiving service on January 21 to mark his installation at the Genesis Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Alakuko,  Lagos.

    Adams was quoted as saying: “Pastor Israel Ogundipe predicted my emergence as the Aare Ona Kakanfo. That is one of the reasons I respect him as a man of God. He was at my former office at Palmgrove and he made three predictions which all came to pass in less than two weeks.”

    He added: “I saw humility and the holiness of God in him. He is one of the few pastors that I respect. When we started jostling for the post, I told him to pray along with me and promised him that I would do my thanksgiving in his church if the Lord answered my prayers.”

    No doubt, this is good publicity for the said pastor and the said church. Adams’ message was simple and easy to understand:  If the pastor correctly predicted that Adams would be selected for the position, then it must be a sign that his selection was divinely ordained, and it must also be a sign that the pastor is a genuine man of God.  Whether Adams got the title through divine intervention is food for thought.

    According to Adams, “25 of us contested for the position and I was the least wealthy among them. The Lord imposed me on all of them.” Adams didn’t mention the names of his rivals, which would have helped to situate him and his wealth in the contest for the title.

    Curiously, a January 22 report said: “Also, Adams worshipped yesterday at Ijo Orunmila Adulawo in Ebute Meta, Lagos, for his successful installation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba. He arrived at the church at 11:15 a.m. with his wife, children, family and members of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in a convoy of about 20 vehicles.”

    This means Adams worshipped at two different churches on the same day for the same reason. Going from church to church does not show where Adams belongs.

  • Adeboye salutes Adams on installation as Aare Ona Kakanfo

    Adeboye salutes Adams on installation as Aare Ona Kakanfo

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has congratulated Dr. Gani Adams on his installation as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba.

    In a letter to Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), the cleric regretted his inability to attend the installation on January 13 at Durbar Stadium in Oyo town of Oyo State.

    He said it was because of his evangelism duties within and outside Nigeria.

    The letter, dated January 17, reads: “Grace be unto you and peace from God, our Father. We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

    “We congratulate you on your installation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land.

    “We regret our inability to attend. Constraints include scheduled annual commitments year in year out at home and abroad.

    “Be assured of our continuous love and prayers.”

     

  • Adams urged to protect Yorubaland from herdsmen

    Adams urged to protect Yorubaland from herdsmen

    Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate in Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency, Oyo State, in 2015 general election, Yusuff Kunle, has congratulated Otunba Gani Adams on his installation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

    He urged him to ensure protection of Yoruba territories from Fulani herdsmen and others.

    Yusuff said the installation of Adams was timely and significant for unity and protection of Yoruba nation.

    The politician, who is the chairman of Trustee Concern Initiatives for Community and Social Development, a non-government organisation (NGO) caring for the less privileged across the six geo-political zones, especially Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Borno State, who traced the history of past Aare Ona Kakanfo to the time of Latosa, said the Fulani could have invaded Yorubaland, but for the efforts of the then Aare Ona Kakanfo.

    The PDP stalwart, in a statement by his media assistant, Olamilekan Oke, said the choice of Adams as Aare Ona kakanfo was an indication that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi II, appreciated hard work, self-sacrifice and commitment of Gani Adams to the development and unity of Yoruba nation.

    He noted that as the leader of Oodua, Aare Onakakanfo fought battles on behalf of the Yoruba and enjoined Adams to sustain the legacies.

    Yusuff said: “Aare Ona kakanfo has always been there for the Yoruba nation in a time of distress. We can imagine what could have happened to Yoruba land if Aare Latosa didn’t perform the role he performed during his time. If he did not secure the outskirts of Osogbo, the Fulani could have invaded Yoruba land and our Obas could have been using the title of Emir now.

    “The role of Aare Ona Kakanfo is very significant and Gani Adams, being a good Yoruba son, at a youthful age, has taken over the challenge of defending Yoruba nation. For recognition of his selflessness and commitment to the Yoruba nation, Alafin Iku Babayeye has taken the right decision by installing Adams as Aare Ona Kakanfo. He is the right choice. It’s an indication that youths can play significant roles if given a chance. My advice to him is to protect Yoruba territories from terrorism, especially from the herdsmen. Our people must be ready to defend themselves from the menace of herdsmen. We are not agents of anarchy, but if you want peace, you must work for it.”