Tag: gani adams

The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has assured the Olu of Warri, Oba Ogiame Atuwatse III and the Itsekiri people that the Yoruba people are always with them.

He gave the assurances on Tuesday, February 27, at the palace of the Warri monarch, saying Yoruba history has always shown that the Itsekiris have their ancestral lineage in Yoruba land.

The Yoruba generalissimo also stated that the Itsekiri are Yoruba descendants who are blessed with high-profile personalities like the late Pa Alfred Rewane and the former President of the Nigerian Football Federation( NFF) Amaju Pinnicks and a host of others.

While applauding the Olu of Warri’s intelligence, courage, humility and hospitality, Iba Adams stated further that the monarch is brilliant and he is well-connected, insisting that all the qualities among others, reflected in the way the Itsekiri people guarded their culture and traditions jealously.

He added that over 250 million Yoruba from all over the world and more than 80 million descendants of Oduduwa in Nigeria proudly see the Itsekiri people as Yoruba.

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Adams said: “I am happy to be here because our history in Yoruba land attested to the fact that the Itsekiri people are descendants of our ancestor.

“Warri is blessed with a monarch that is brilliant, well- connected and humble.

“Our revered sage, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his life, gave his all for the progress of the Itsekiri people because they are Yoruba and descendants of our great progenitor, Oduduwa.

“That was why you see great people of Itsekiri like the late Pa Alfred Rewane and a few others being great supporters of Yoruba cause.

“I remember how former President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnicks urged me to make sure I visit the Olu of Warri.

“I was abroad during his official coronation, but I sent one of my chiefs to stand in for me at the grand event.The people of Itsekiri need us and we need them to keep the bond of our mutual ancestry”.

Iba Adams, however, urged the people of Itsekiri to remain united as that is the guiding principle of progress and development.

Oba Atuwatse, who spoke through the Ogwa Olusan of Warri, High Chief Brown Mene, expressed great appreciation to Iba Adams for his sense of history.

Mene stated also that the Itsekiri people have their roots in Ode Remo in Ijebu, Akure, Ilorin and Tapa, adding that Iba Gani Adams’ role in seeking unity, as well as the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition, beyond the shores of Nigeria, is a worthy legacy that all descendants of Oduduwa are proud of.

“Our language is very similar to that of the Yoruba than any other tribes in the world. We are Yoruba and our forebears came from Akure, Ode-Remo in Ijebu, Ilorin and Tapa.

“Our ancestors are the first settlers before the arrival of the Benin. We have our history and background as a people bonded by unique culture and traditions of the Yoruba.

“You cannot speak of Itsekiri people without remembering their ancestry as Yorubas. And I want to assure Iba Gani Adams that Itsekiri people are part of Yoruba.

“We shall swim together and fulfill the destiny of our race together”, the high chief stated

Meanwhile, the palace treated their guests with cultural and traditional rites and dances that signified the rich culture of the Itsekiri people.

Apart from the Warri chiefs and indigenes, members of the Aare in Council who were present at the palace include the Oosi Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Balogun, the Parakoyi Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Prof. Kolawole Raheem and Bameeto Aare Onakakanfo, Hon. Ademola Ige.

Others are: Barejiro Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Dauda Asikolaye, Delta State coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, Akeem Agboola, his counterparts from Edo, Mr Mathew Uwagwe, South-South coordinator, Chief Babatunde Ajayi, Special Assistant on Media to the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Kehinde Aderemi, Special Assistant on Special Duties, Samson Oseni, Lukman Adenuga and the Director of Graphics, Ibrahim Koleosho among others.

Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams on Tuesday, February 13, wrote a pressing letter to governors of the six states in the southwest, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and governors of Kwara and Kogi states.

The letter, entitled: “Yorubaland Is “Troubled, Darkness Looms”, was also sent to the state council of Obas giving a detailed analysis of the prevailing security challenges in the region, even as he also proffered possible solutions to the problem.

Adams, who had raised similar issues recently said in the letter that ‘evil had entered Yorubaland’, insisting that more than 60 million Yoruba living in the Southwest, parts of South-South and North-Central of Nigeria are troubled.

The letter a copy of which was sighted by The Nation reads in part: “On November 26, 2020, a first-class traditional ruler in Ondo State, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi, who just left the Governor’s Office, Akure after a security meeting with the then Governor, the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, (may his soul rest in peace), was shot dead by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Akure-Owo Highway. All hell was let loose. Imagine the insult to the Yoruba race.

“The Yoruba, at home and abroad, saw this as an unprecedented sacrilege. Youths in Ondo state immediately threatened to take up arms but the then President Muhammadu Buhari pacified the Yoruba, saying the killers would be apprehended, but till today, the killers have not been apprehended.

“We thought we had seen the last of that sacrilege. But now, ‘Eemo ti Wolu’ (there is evil in the land). Even during the Kiriji War, I don’t think what happened a few days ago ever happened in Yorubaland.

“From Ekiti to Kwara states, three traditional rulers were shot dead by these blood-thirsty maniacs. The Alara of Ara who escaped in Ekiti narrated what happened and the people who perpetrated this heinous crime.

“Never in the history of Yoruba were three Obas shot dead in a spate of four days. So, obviously, evil has entered Yorubaland. And as our progenitors did, we must not appease this evil in our land. It must be dealt with immediately and decisively.

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“But, that decisive action requires speed. The evil gradually creeping into Yorubaland is a monster that must be fought with all powers at our disposal. This scourge of foreign banditry is similar to the scorched-earth policy of the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, during the Second World War, an intentional course of military and para-military action that was drastic, maximum, and ruinous.”

While urging the governors and other stakeholders to act fast on the present danger, he stated further that, “the clear and present danger’ is to behave as if this hydra-headed monster is not already constituting a problem.

“The matter is so serious now that some Yoruba are being abducted on the highway. If our people are afraid of going to their farms and travelling on the highway, danger looms.

“Due to the fact that this ‘cancer’ was not given an urgent and decisive operation when it started, it is now spreading like wildfire because the perpetrators get high financial returns with less risk, unlike armed robbery which involves a lot of risk and high uncertainty.

“We have a situation on our hands now in which if an intending victim escapes, the kidnappers will go for the wife. If she escapes, they will go for the children. Since nobody wants to lose a loved one, family members look for money by all means to pay these evil doers. And the vicious circle continues.

“Aside from making money from this evil venture, these killers and their sponsors want to destroy the economy of Yorubaland. That is why they must be stopped now. Kidnapping for ransom is already creating fear in Yorubaland and if our people can no longer go to farms or travel through the highways, our economy will be affected. We must wage war against kidnapping and the time for that fight is now.”

Aare Adams maintained also that he was ready to flush out all the undesirable elements in the land, but added that he needed the permission of the governors to make this possible.

“Now, we are in the 21st Century. Elected governors are the Chief Security Officers of their respective states. For me to move against the enemies of Yoruba in this land, I will need your permission and cooperation.

“Aside from the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) which has a solid network in all the wards, villages, towns, and cities in Yorubaland, I also control 13 other groups working with the OPC.

“They are the South West Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) and this group includes the Agbekoya, the Professional Hunters, Vigilante Groups of Nigeria, Vigilante Jahun, Agbekoya Peace Movement, Agbekoya Farmers Society, COMSAIC and Isokan Ile Oodua among others.

“We already have the troops and logistics to flush out undesirable elements in the land but for this war to be fought effectively, it is no doubt that coordination is central. And as the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, I have my strategy and I am ready to give you my maximum support as the Chief Security Officer of your state.

 “I can assure you that within six months, insecurity will reduce drastically across the southwest.

“This is not the time to be liaising with some groups in isolation, (the majority of them are members of South West Security Stakeholders Group and they are under my leadership as the convener of the group and as the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland) to wage this battle against the marauders.”

Aare Adams, however, sought to have an urgent meeting with the governors on the security threat to “our collective existence.”

Jagunmolu Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Oluwole Adedeji has assured the governors of the southwest that they should involve the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, in their efforts to combat the rising insecurity.

He said that the security scourge would be a thing of the past if Adams is co-opted in their efforts to securing the region.

Speaking while reacting to the killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti state and one in Kwara state, Adedeji, who was one of the newly appointed chieftains of the Aareonakakanfo Chiefs-in-Council said the security challenges in the Southwest has called for a better approach, that could help in addressing the security deficit across the region.

He stated also that the six months time frame Adams gave to the governors to end the insecurity in the region was very possible, adding that he believed strongly in the ability of Adams to stamp out insecurity in Yoruba land.

“You can see the achievements of the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland with the Baddo threat in Ikorodu. You can see what he did with Iskilu Wakil, a kidnap kingpin who made life unbearable for the people of Ayete in Igangan and other towns in Ibarapa area of Oyo state.

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“I make bold as to say that if the Southwest governors co-opt Aare Gani Adams in their efforts to fight the security scourge, the Southwest region would be safe for residents”, he added.

Chief Adedeji, also warned the bad elements dwelling in Yoruba land to stay away from the southwest, insisting that the Yoruba will resist any attempt to make the region unsafe for the people.

“The kidnappers are cruel and they are inhuman.We will not allow the bandits and unknown gunmen to wreak havoc on the people of the Southwest. As the Jagunmolu Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, it is my responsibility to lend my voice on issues that had been generating alot of concern across Nigeria and the south west region in particular.

“And in doing that I think we should support Iba Gani Adams, who is the traditional Chief Security Officer in the entire Yoruba land to save the region from the hands of killers. I am also using this opportunity to call on the six governors in the southwest to rise to this challenge and do what is expected of them as the number one citizens of their respective states in the region.”

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has said he would rally all the six governors in the southwest to involve the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams in securing the region against the prevailing killings and kidnappings

Oba Adeyeye gave assurance in Ile-Ife during the celebration of the 2024 Oodua festival, organized by the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF).

Ooni, who was represented by the Obalufe of Ife Kingdom, Oba Idowu Adediwura, said the killings of two Obas in Ekiti state was a bad omen and a pointer to the fact that the southwest is becoming too volatile, as bad elements are making the region unsafe for the people.

He, however, added that he would do everything possible to get the nod of the governors to involve Iba Gani Adams in securing the Southwest region.

He said: “It is time to use what we have to get what we want. We want peace in Yoruba land. We want effective security of lives and property. We want to sleep with our two eyes closed and we have a rising star who can make that possible.

“The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams is the rising star who has what it takes to tackle the security challenges as he has been transforming the region through his cultural promotion activities for the past two decades.”

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Earlier in his remarks, the Aareonakakanfo called for a holistic approach to solving the security scourge across Nigeria, assuring the governors of the Southwest region that if they involve him in their efforts to curb the raging spate of insecurity, he was sure that the security challenges in the region would reduce drastically within six months.

“As the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, we will not allow the Plateau massacre to be replicated in any part of Yorubaland.

“But it must be stated that there is an urgent need for a lasting synergy between the government and the people at the grassroots.

“With the present security situation in the country, it is obvious that the government cannot do it alone.

“The battle to curb the spate of insecurity should be a collective effort and the government should involve us in addressing this issue.

“If the governors of the southwest involve me in their efforts to curb insecurity in the region, I assure you that the security challenges in the region will reduce drastically within six months”, he said.

Osun state commissioner for Arts and Culture, Abiodun Fafa, who represented Governor Ademola Adeleke said by next year, the state government will partner with the Olokun Festival Foundation in celebrating the Oodua festival in Ile Ife.

Fafa added that Governor Ademola Adeleke appreciated Aare Adams’ efforts in driving the Osun state tourism potential through the just concluded OPU world congress, where over 200 delegates of prominent Yoruba diaspora organizations stayed in Osogbo for five days and injected several millions of naira into the state’s economy.

“We didn’t know that the Oodua festival is such a big event. I assure you that by next year, the Osun state government will be involved.

“What Aare Gani Adams is doing with the OPU is a pride to all of us and I think the Yoruba will always be grateful to him for promoting the culture and tradition of our race, not only in Nigeria but across the world.

“OPU delegates were in Osogbo for five days. They gave free health care facilities to the people. They built boreholes for the people to have access to pipe-borne water and they injected several millions into the state economy through feeding and accommodations. This was a good gesture that must be appreciated.”

The guest lecturer, Dr Morufu Omigbule from OAU, Faculty of Arts, Dept of English, spoke on rituals in Yoruba land and the need to preserve the heritage.

He stated also that Yoruba is very lucky to have Iba Gani Adams as the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland adding that it is the responsibility of all the Yoruba Obas to support him in his efforts to promote the culture and traditions of the Yoruba race.

“I have been monitoring Aare Gani Adams for over two decades and I saw his consistency. I admire his resilience in driving the cultural promotion activities of the Yoruba race and I think it is time for all Yoruba Obas to support this worthy cause. That is the best way to preserve our heritage in Yoruba land.”

Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security and Local Matters, Dr. Adekunle Omoyele in their separate remarks spoke on the efforts of the state government in ensuring effective security in the state.

They urged the OPU delegates to come and invest in the state, insisting that the Osun state government is doing everything possible to attract foreign investors into the state.

“Osun state government is on top of the security situation in the state. We are ready to make Osun state safe for investors. So, delegates of OPU should not entertain any fear as we will do our very best to keep the state safe for them”, Omoyele stated.

No fewer than 10 prominent Obas were at the event, as lucky winners of the raffle draw went home with motorcycles and various gift items like standing fans, pressing irons, and several others.

The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has condemned the Tuesday explosion in Ibadan, urging Governor Seyi Makinde to bring the culprits to book.

Iba Adams, who described the incident as very unfortunate said the best thing the state government could do to unravel the perpetrators is to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to book.

The Yoruba generallissimo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi blamed the incident on the carelessness of the miners, pointing out that such act was illegal and a threat to the lives and property of the people of the state.

He said: “As far as I am concerned, the story of the Ibadan explosion had left many questions hanging in the balance. It was a security threat to the state, that is why it is important for governor Seyi Makinde to fish out those behind the incident and bring them to book.

“It is very unfortunate that the death toll is rising by the day and victims of the unfortunate incident are in the various hospitals recuperating. 

“The extent of the damage in the area was great involving many houses. And going by the statement and assurances of the governor, I think a case of such multiple damages should not be treated with levity. Ibadan is the political headquarters of the Southwest region and anything that affects Ibadan naturally has spiral effect on other states in the south west.

“So, the Oyo state government should leave no stone unturned by making sure that perpetrators of the dastardly act didn’t go scot-free.”

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Adams, however, condoled with Governor Makinde, the Olubadan of Ibadanland the people of Ibadan and Oyo state as well as families of those killed in the unfortunate incident.

He maintained also that though it is the duty of the government to ensure security of lives and property, the people must also be conscious of everything that is happening in their environments.

“We are all a product of our society. And we must also be conscious of everything that is happening in our society. I urge members of the public to inform the appropriate authority as quick as possible, whenever their neighbours are in possession of any product that can cause avoidable calamity.

“They can always raise the alarm.That is the best way to forestall incidents that are capable of threatening our lives as a people”, Iba Gani Abiodun said.