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  • OPC @30: Yoruba Obas felicitate Gani Adams

    OPC @30: Yoruba Obas felicitate Gani Adams

    The Yoruba Obas Forum (YOF) has congratulated the national coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Iba (Dr) Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland on the 30th anniversary of the Oodua People’s Congress existence.

    In a statement signed by the National Executive Council of the Yoruba Obas Forum, the monarchs congratulated the resilience, steadfastness and unwavering service to humanity, of the OPC formation and particularly to Gani Adams who has held sway as the driving force of the formation.

    YOF extolled the virtue of Aare Gani Adams as a true leader and the Oodua People’s Congress as a formidable sociocultural entity that sees to the security and peaceful co-existence of the Yoruba people with other residents within the Yoruba land.

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    The monarchs also extended gratitude to Gani Adams’ led OPC for the concerted effort to fight against social injustice, insecurity, and other local crimes within the neighbourhood.

    “As a non-political organisation and a forum for cultural integration, the Yoruba Obas Forum congratulates Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams on this special day, marking a three-decade selfless service to humanity.

    “OPC, under Gani Adams has gained prominence through its series of social interventions that include security checks and crime prevention within the neighbourhood, youth empowerment, and humanitarian initiatives. We wish the formation well, and urge it to maintain collaborative engagement with Yoruba Obas Forum to forge progressive and developmental efforts in Yoruba land,” YOF stated.

    Meanwhile, YOF as a non-profit and non-political organization consisting of and open to all traditional rulers from Yoruba speaking States of Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Kogi, and Kwara are duly certified and recognized by their respective State governments.

  • Wale Adebanwi’s book on how Gani Adams transformed from artisan to elite out August

    Wale Adebanwi’s book on how Gani Adams transformed from artisan to elite out August

    The Director, Center for Africana Studies, University of Pennsylvania, Professor Wale Adebanwi, is set to release a book, “How to Become a Big Man in Africa: Subalternity, Elites, and Ethnic Politics in Contemporary Nigeria”.

    The book follows Gani Adams and other major figures in Nigeria’s Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) over two decades of ethnographic study and visual representations.

    The book, according to the publisher, Indiana University Press, shows how Adams challenged “existing models of African political mobility by leveraging his initial lack of formal education into a position of power”. The book, which is a product of Adebanwi’s decades of following Adams, shows how he  moved from an “area boy” to a “big man”.

    The book shows what it takes for subalterns to transform themselves into members of the elite. 

    The book reveals how, through ethno-regional conflict, violence and cultural activities,  Adams transformed himself into the holder of the most prestigious chieftaincy title among the Yoruba.

    Read Also: Actress denies alleged affair with Senate President Akpabio

    “Blurring the lines between tradition and modernity, Adams and his group have used Yoruba rituals to simultaneously claim authenticity and champion new movements for democracy and self-determination.

    How to Become a Big Man in Africa encourages us to understand the full complexity of Adams’s political trajectory and how it reflects the structural and personal realities of becoming a “Big Man” in the contemporary postcolony,” the publisher said.

    The 590-page book will be out in August 2024.

    Andrew Apter, Professor of Anthropology and History, UCLA, author of “Black Critics and Kings: The Hermeneutics of Power in Yoruba Society” said: “The notorious figure of the ‘Big Man’ in Africa typecasts those social actors who rise to great heights through guile, cunning, and a preternatural ability to transgressively self-aggrandise with impunity. In what is the first intensive ethnography of an African Big Man, Wale Adebanwi focuses on the extraordinary career of Gani Adams in Nigeria as he rose from wanted fugitive to become one of the nation’s preeminent power brokers. This path-breaking study of agency and ‘self-actualization,’ based on more than two decades of research, locates Adams’ remarkable story within the liminal pathways and festive arenas which he negotiated to gain access to the Nigerian state. How to Become a Big Man in Africa is a must-read for all students of Nigerian cultural politics and African political economy.”

    For Adeline Masquelier, Tulane University, author of “Fada: Boredom and Belonging in Niger”, the book is  “a magnificent exploration of how one becomes a man of consequence in employment-challenged Nigeria”.

    He added: “With considerable acuity and empathy, Adebanwi traces the—anomalous yet also exemplary—trajectory of a high school dropout who “seizes history” to become a key political actor and a celebrated “big man.” How to Become a Big Man in Africa is a must read for anyone interested in youth culture, subalternity, elites, and African politics.   “

    Jacob K. Olupona, Harvard University, author of City of 201 Gods: Ilé-Ifè in Time, Space, said: “Adebanwi’s unparalleled skills as a scholar, researcher and social commentator are on full display in this book. How To Become a Big Man in Africa is a remarkable and eye-opening study on the concept and practices of the Big Man in Africa. Adebanwi weaves together robust scholarship and lucid prose to explore the intersections of ethnicity, youth development, and political elites in Nigeria. The book is also a thoughtful and intelligent assessment of class mobility and political strategy in Nigeria. Through groundbreaking archival and ethnographic research and magnificent social and cultural analysis, How To Become a Big Man in Africa offers a tour de force in African Studies. The author closely and intimately examines and reimagines the categories of subalternity and political elitism to construct what I believe is to become one of the most critically acclaimed and cited political biographies in African Studies. How To Become a Big Man in Africa is a seminal contribution to anthropology, political science and ethnic studies in Africa.”

  • Gani Adams to donate Kakanfo lecture theatre to Alayande University

    Gani Adams to donate Kakanfo lecture theatre to Alayande University

    The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has pledged to construct and donate a lecture building to be named Kakanfo Lecture Hall to Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo as his own contribution to the 128-year institution.

    The University’s media and public relations officer, Wale Adeoye, disclosed this in a statement.

    He said Iba Gani Adams made this commitment when he received the University Management delegation led by the Director, Directorate of Inter-Community and Alumni Relations, Dr Rasak Adefabi at his Lagos residence.

    The statement quoted the Aareonakakanfo as saying, “I feel highly honoured to host the Vice Chancellor’s delegation today. Education is very important to nation-building and it is important we cherish our language and culture. A nation that loses its language is doomed to die. As we all know too, education and technology are symbiotic and everything must be done to invest in qualitative education.

    “I am sure that a country that fails to invest in qualitative education will soon go into extinction.”

    Read Also: Invasion of privacy: Apologise within 30 days or face legal action, Gani Adams tells Igboho

    Speaking further, the Yoruba Generalissimo who was flanked by his wife, Ayinba Joy Adams maintained that he shall join the University in building a quality institution, saying, “I promise that I shall give my own little contribution in building a lecture hall for the benefit of our future leaders. This project will start in no distant time”.

    Earlier, the director of the Directorate of Inter-Community and Alumni Relations, Dr Rasak Adefabi conveyed the Vice-Chancellor’s message to their host.

    He said, “I bring warm greetings from our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan, and his Management team to you. Mr. Vice-Chancellor would have loved to personally lead us here today but for another state assignment. He therefore directed that we greet you. I must thank you on his behalf for your contributions to nation-building and the advancement of education in Yorubaland.

    “Our institution, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo is a renowned educational institution of over a century years. It started as a Teacher’s College, College of Education, and now a University of Education. As you are aware Sir, the government alone cannot shoulder the funding and infrastructural needs of the nascent University, hence the need to follow a pathfinder.

    “It shall therefore be our pleasure to have you supporting us with a donation of a lecture theatre to be named after you. May God Almighty continue to strengthen you and be your shield”, he submitted.

    On the University delegation are members of the Inter-Community and Alumni Relations Committee – Dr Olurotimi Akanni, Mr. Ibrahim Salawu, ‘Wale Adeoye, and the Secretary of the Committee, Mrs. Olukemi Badmus.

  • Invasion of privacy: Apologise within 30 days or face legal action, Gani Adams tells Igboho

    Invasion of privacy: Apologise within 30 days or face legal action, Gani Adams tells Igboho

    Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has asked the Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to either apologise or face legal action for allegedly invading his privacy.

    Adams made this demand in a pre-litigation letter written on his behalf by his counsel, Adesina Ogunlana.

    In the letter dated June 4 2024 and addressed to Igboho, Adams detailed how the Yoruba activist allegedly infringed on his fundamental human right.

    He alleged that Igboho intruded on his privacy by publishing in the media, a private conversation he had with a friend sometime in 2021.

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    Adams described Igboho’s action as a deliberate, reckless, and malicious breach of his fundamental rights to privacy as constitutionally guaranteed as cognisable in Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    Adams, however, demanded a “letter of unqualified apology” from Igboho for the reckless and unlawful invasion of his privacy by the mass publication of his private discussion with Mr. Nurudeen Banjo which has scandalised his pre-eminent personality and status.

    “Nonetheless, despite your affront to the honour and reputation of our Client, the great weight of his traditional title and office dictates first an embrace of rapprochement with you as a brother worthy and so, we have his instructions to request for an amicable settlement of his grievance in this matter with your good self.

  • Invasion of privacy: Apologise within 30 days or face legal action, Gani Adams tells Igboho

    Invasion of privacy: Apologise within 30 days or face legal action, Gani Adams tells Igboho

    Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has asked the Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to either apologise or face legal action for allegedly invading his privacy.

    Adams made this demand in a pre-litigation letter written on his behalf by his counsel, Adesina Ogunlana.

    In the letter dated June 4, 2024, and addressed to Igboho, Iba Adams detailed how the Yoruba nation activist allegedly infringed on his fundamental human rights.

    He alleged that Igboho intruded on his privacy by publishing in the media, a private conversation he had with a friend sometime in 2021.

    Adams described Igboho’s action as a deliberate, reckless, and malicious breach of his fundamental rights to privacy as constitutionally guaranteed as cognisable in Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    Read Also: Gani Adams asks court to strike out Igboho’s N500m defamation suit

    He added that his reputation has been grossly besmirched and most unfairly so the deliberate act afore-described.

    Adams, however, demanded a “letter of unqualified apology” from Igboho for the reckless and unlawful invasion of his privacy by the mass publication of his private discussion with Nurudeen Banjo which has scandalised his pre-eminent personality and status.

    “Nonetheless, despite your affront to the honour and reputation of our Client, the great weight of his traditional title and office dictates first an embrace of rapprochement with you as a brother worthy and so, we have his instructions to request for an amicable settlement of his grievance in this matter with your good self.

    “To that end, our Client considers a month from the day of your receipt of this letter time adequate enough, to receive your response. However, where you treat this our letter with disdain or ignore, our Client shall recourse to the law to press claims”, the letter reads in part.

  • Gani Adams asks court to strike out Igboho’s N500m defamation suit

    Gani Adams asks court to strike out Igboho’s N500m defamation suit

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has asked the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan to strike out the suit filed against him by Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, over alleged defamation of character.

    Igboho in the suit is seeking an order compelling the defendant to pay N500 million as aggravated damages over the alleged leaked audio conversation, which he claimed impugned his reputation.

    Igboho is also seeking, among others, “a declaration that the content of an audio clip between the defendant (Adams) and a third party named Nuru Banjo that took place sometime in November 2021 and further published on all news media platforms, including Youtube, is slanderous, libelous and defamatory”.

    However, in a motion filed by his Counsel, Oluwole Kehinde of OKC Attorneys, prayed the court to strike out the suit.

    Read Also: Aareonakakanfo festival: Gani Adams makes case for promotion of Yoruba culture

    Adams in an affidavit in support of the motion, deposed to by one Micheal Oluwanmi Okunore on his behalf, asked the court to strike out the suit for its failure to follow due process.

    Adams averred that the claimant’s Writ of Summons in the suit does not have the required mandatory endorsement that it is for service outside Oyo State and in Lagos State.

    The defendant further averred that the Writ of Summons of the claimant was not signed by a legal practitioner or the claimant himself.

    He, therefore, prayed the court: “It is in the interest of justice to strike out the claimant’s suit before the Honourable Court for the foregoing reasons.”

  • Aareonakakanfo festival: Gani Adams makes case for promotion of Yoruba culture

    Aareonakakanfo festival: Gani Adams makes case for promotion of Yoruba culture

    The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has urged Yoruba people all over the world to ensure the promotion and preservation of their culture.

    The Yoruba generalissimo, who described culture and tradition as the true identity of a race, said the Yoruba race has a very rich culture and tradition that should be preserved for generations yet unborn.

    Iba Adams spoke at the maiden edition of the Aareonakakanfo festival, which was held at the playing ground of Ifo local government area, Ogun state.

    Addressing the large crowd of enthusiastic members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) who trooped out to witness the epoch-making event, Iba Adams praised the members of the OPC in Ifo LGA for organising the festival.

    He promised that the festival will be integrated into the festival calendar of the Olokun Foundation in 2025.

    Read Also: Gani Adams to Tinubu: go after those sabotaging your efforts in stabilizing Naira

    Expressing his gratitude, Iba Adams said the history of Aareonakakanfo in the defence and preservation of the Yoruba race is as rich as the people’s.

     According to him, all the Aareonakakanfo had at one time or the other stood and fought for the unity and preservation of the Yoruba people as a race.

    Adams said: “The Aareonakakanfo is a unique traditional title in Yorubaland. Their role is to protect and preserve the integrity and unity of the Yoruba race. That is why, if you look at the history of Yorubaland, all the Aareonkakanfo fought bitterly to ensure that no part of Yoruba land is taken over by foreigners.”

    Also speaking, Olorile of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdul Semiu Ogunjobi, thanked Iba Adams for approving his domain as host of the highly important festival.

    While promising his support for the success of the festival, Oba Ogunjobi said he was eager to witness a bigger and more successful festival in 2025.

    Other dignitaries at the festival include the Olu of Ibogun Balogun Ifo, Oba Adeshina Faluade Anikinnikun, Olu of Ijoko Lemode, and Oba Solomon Sokunbi among others.

  • Gani Adams to Tinubu: go after those sabotaging your efforts in stabilizing Naira

    Gani Adams to Tinubu: go after those sabotaging your efforts in stabilizing Naira

    The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has urged President Bola Tinubu to go after those undermining his efforts to stabilize the Nigerian currency.

    Iba Adams made this statement in Orile Agege during the 2024 edition of the Odun Aje Festival.

    Addressing the depreciation of the Naira, Iba Adams emphasized the importance of halting its continuous decline, noting that certain individuals are hindering the country’s progress.

    He called on President Tinubu to take action against any person or investor working against his administration’s efforts to strengthen the local currency.

    He also urged the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, and other financial institutions to do everything possible to stop fraudulent transactions and round-tripping between the dollar and the naira to protect the nation’s economy.

    Adams pointed out that the free fall of the local currency, with the dollar selling for N1650 as of Tuesday, is primarily due to the illegal activities of saboteurs.

    He reiterated the urgent need to strengthen the naira and halt its daily decline.

    Iba said: “Today the naira is sold at N1650 to a dollar. It is a fact that the naira is weakened by the illegal businesses of the saboteurs. There is an urgent need for us to strengthen the naira from daily free fail. Now is the time for the Federal Government to go after those who are bent on sabotaging the efforts of this administration.

    “I will appeal to the President, the Central Bank Governor, as well as all government financial institutions to go after any individual or investor that is working against the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen the naira.

    “The fraudulent transaction of dollar to naira and round-tripping must be stopped to save our economy. The Nigerian economy is in serious trouble, and there is an urgent need for a better approach to save the naira.”

    Speaking further, Iba Adams also lamented that Nigeria was losing much of the respect of the global community because of the weak status of her currency, pointing out that by global standard, every country gets the respect of others as a result of the strength of her currency.

    According to him, a country with a very viable and strong currency will naturally earn the respect of others, adding that a country with a weak currency would continue to look up to others for both social and economic survival while the power or the strength of a country’s currency also translates to how much respect the citizens of that country get among the citizens of the world.

    “As our naira continues to fall, there is no doubt that Nigeria will be at the mercy of other countries that have strong value for their currencies. Even global investors would not take a country with a weak currency seriously economically.

    “Let me say also that a weak currency will always affect local production. Especially, in a situation where most of the materials needed for the production of the local products are not made in Nigeria. A weak currency will certainly affect the economy. The cost of living will surely be high and the inflation will continue to bite harder and harder.

    “Weak currency will also promote corruption and further sink the country deeper. Therefore, I am appealing to President Bola Tinubu to make sure that the naira bounces back and regains its strength against the dollar and other global currencies.

    “It is not impossible for us to have our naira gaining strength and bouncing back to at least N500 to a dollar, within the next one year. The government has the capacity and the wherewithal to change the ugly narratives of the Nigerian currency. The government should be ready to go after the saboteurs. It is an irony of fate to say that the Nigerian currency today is now 50 percent weaker and below the Cefars.

    “I remember in 2014, when we traveled on an official tour of Togo, Benin Republic, and Cotonou for the inauguration of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), the Cefar was just 28 percent of the naira.

    “But today, the N1000 to cfa in Cotonou 421,64500 is a huge gap. The difference is too obvious for us to know that our naira has lost its value,” he added.

    Speaking on the importance of Odun Aje Festival, Iba Adams also described it as unique, saying that it was a celebration of the deity in charge of wealth and one of the tools that binds the world together.

    He said one of the reasons the group headed by him had continued to celebrate Odun Aje “is for us to regain the lost glory of the Yoruba race, adding that another important reason “is to change the narratives of our poor past and also to keep the hope alive.”

    He, however, said with excitement that the efforts were now yielding results, noting that part of the great testimonies of such was the success Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) recorded by promoting Yoruba culture and tradition.

    “For instance, we started celebrating the Odun Aje Festival in Onigbongbo, Ikeja, Lagos. But today, Orile Agege is now the host community.

    “And since we started celebrating the wealth festival here in Orile Agege, we have recorded various testimonies as an organization. The host community is also benefitting from the good gesture,” he said.

    Guest Speaker, Prof. Ayo Yusuf from the Department of Linguistics African and Asian Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG) spoke on the topic titled: “Concept of Aje Olokun,” who also spoke about the importance of wealth (Aje) as the major drivers of the economy, adding that the best way to preserve it was by being prudent.

    Read Also: Gani Adams honours Segun Ajiboye with Aare ona kakanfo title

    Yusuf, who was represented by Abolade Daud of the same department, harped on the need to promote the growth of Yoruba culture most especially by parents, saying findings indicated that some individuals living abroad found it difficult to speak their native languages.

    “If we consider individuals living abroad, we notice difficulty in speaking their native languages. I hope our parents can support this to promote the growth of the Yoruba culture,” he said.

    Apart from the royal host, who is also the Alage of Orile Agege, Oba Akeem Ambaliu Agbedeyi; the Onimapara of Mapara Kingdom, Oba Lateef Amodemaja, other prominent members that graced the event were the Aareonakakanfo Chiefs In Council including the Osi Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Balogun, the Parakoyi Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, Baale Orile Adesan Mowe, Chief Abiola Aremu, Baale Tabon- Tabon Orile Agege, Chief SO Itogbe.

    Others were members of the National Executive Council (NEC) and National Coordinating Council (NCC) among others.

  • Opponents of state police are enemies of Nigeria – Gani Adams

    Opponents of state police are enemies of Nigeria – Gani Adams

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has described those opposing the creation of the state police as enemies of Nigeria.

    He said such individuals are deriving pleasures from several cases of insecurity across the nation, saying they are doing that at the detriment of the lives of Nigerians they are supposed to protect.

    Recall that there had been calls from different quarters for the creation of State Police to tackle insecurity across the nation at the grassroots but some Nigerians said the creation of State Police is not the way out.

    However, Gani Adams while speaking in Ibadan at the 2024 edition of Okebadan Festival, lamented that governors get billions of naira as security votes, yet, insecurity across the nation still be of great concern to Nigerians.

    He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to do his best by influencing the National Assembly on the need to amend the Nigerian Constitution to give way for state police.

    Read Also: I never accused Tayo Ayinde of sponsoring Sunday Igboho’s agitation – Gani Adams

    According to him, it is the responsibility of the president to encourage the National Assembly and influence them to work on the speedy amendments of the Nigerian constitution for it to accommodate state police as a panacea for effective security in the country.

    He said: “Whatever security challenges that come from each of the states in Nigeria is a reflection of the burden of leadership at the top.”

    “Security of lives and property is one of the major responsibilities of every government, as much as we need state police to take care of security deficits in the country, there is an urgent need for us to amend the constitution to fulfill the demand and yearnings of Nigerians on effective state policing and other issues.”

    In his remark, the Oyo state coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Rauf Abiola said the State Police is a very viable and welcome ideal particularly in Oyo state.

    He maintained that if State Policing will work effectively, there must be involvement of OPCs who will do a lot of intelligent gathering at local levels and haven’t already had close relationships with grassroots and communities.

  • Insecurity: We need state police now – Gani Adams

    Insecurity: We need state police now – Gani Adams

    The Aare-onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has once again reiterated the need for state police, describing it as key content of restructuring.

    Adams’ reaction came in response to the statement made by the chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, that state police like other issues relating to the review of the constitution, and amendment of the Nigeria Police Act to accommodate state police would take two years.

    Giving insights into the urgency of state police amid the rising spate of insecurity, Iba Adams in a statement signed by his special assistant on media, Kehinde Aderemi, said the spike in the rate of insecurity across the country is a matter of great concern that needs urgent solution.

    “We don’t need to wait till eternity before we get state police in Nigeria. State police is a content of restructuring. One of the fundamental duties of the government is to provide security for the citizenry.

    “So, we need state police more than anything else for us to take care of the security deficits across the country. Insecurity seems to have defied all measures.

    “As far as I am concerned, the two-year constitutional time frame is too much of a time for such a bill to be passed or adopted by both the House of Reps and the Senate.

    “We do not need up to that. I do not think that is proper, two years is too much time, I disagree with that, especially, at this time when there’s an emergency.

    Read Also: Sunday Igboho sues Gani Adams for alleged defamation

    “Those involved in passing of the state police bill should stop playing politics with people’s lives. They should stop playing politics with issues that are as sensitive as such. Nigeria has lost so much to the spate of insecurity and we are yet to proffer a lasting solution to the challenges”.

    He added that the foundational problems of Nigeria can only be addressed with restructuring that is tied to regionalism.

    “Restructuring to regionalism will take care of all the burning issues bordering on insecurity, economy and political. And that would be the best solution to the various challenges in the country.”