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  • Leadership is Nigeria’s problem, says Gani Adams

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has said leadership, not religion, is the nation’s problem.

    He said no religion that is worth practising will appreciate the senseless killings by Boko Haram.

    Adams, who spoke at the National Headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (Throne of Grace), Redemption Way, Ebute Metta, Lagos, said religion is all about faith.

    Admitted that he is a Muslim by birth, he described himself as thoroughly–bred in Christian and traditional religions.

    He said: “It is sad that many people believe religion is Nigeria’s problem, but in truth, leadership, not religion, is the problem. For instance, I am a Muslim by birth, I grew up from a Christian background and as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and culture activist, I also believe in our traditional religion. So coming to the Redeemed Christian Church of God headquarters today is a pleasure, and one needs to appreciate God for the life of the General Overseer worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for keeping faith with God for over 40 years, with branches in over 200 countries across the world.”

    While praising the humility of the cleric, Adams said Pastor Adeboye is truly a man of God, adding that every content of his sermon is about prayers.

    Pastor Adeboye said there are two seasons in a day, adding that there is always a night before the day.

    “When a day breaks, there must be night. A day time may endure for years, as a matter of fact, in heaven, there is no night. First a night, then a day, then the night. Whenever you find yourself in the night season, talk to the Lord. He will restore your life. Weeping may be long for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. In your homes, there will always be joy,” he said.

  • How to end poverty, by Adams, Olubadan, others

    AARE Onakakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Adams, Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Saliu Adetunji, Director General, Ekiti State Council of Arts and Culture Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre and other eminent Nigerians have proffered an all-inclusive approach to solving the socio-economic challenges facing the people.

    They spoke in their separate remarks at a lecture and award ceremony organised by a non-governmental organisation, Ceebee Gold Foundation International, in Ibadan on Sunday.

    The Aare Onakakanfo said spirited individuals must collaborate with government at all levels by providing support to the less-privileged around them or backing non-governmental organisations established for the same purpose, if poverty must be tackled at the grassroots.

    He, however, challenged the government at federal and state levels to come up with and operate economic policies that would make it easier for the masses to afford three square meals with better living conditions.

    Chief Adams described the country’s economic situations as harsh as a result of the high unemployment rate, noting that the government at all levels must do something about it urgently for the situation to abate.

    Read also: A vicious circle of greed, poverty, and violence

    Aare Onakakanfo: “Many Nigerians live below one dollar per day. They cannot afford three square meals each day. The Federal Government and state government must rise to the situation.

    “We realised that government cannot do everything and this is why non-governmental organisations, like Ceebee Gold Foundation, Gani Adams Foundation and others have been complementing the efforts of government by helping the underprivileged in the society.

    “But government at all levels must fulfil their own parts. Jobs should be created. Infrastructural decadence should be fixed. Roads should be fixed.”

    The Olubadan hailed Ceebee Gold Foundation for deeming it fit to locate its proposed vocational training centre in Ibadan despite the founder not been an indigene.

    He prayed good success of the initiative, appealing to well-meaning individuals to give the NGO the needed support in the interest of the less-privileged in the society.

    Ojo-Lanre, in his remarks, said: “It is important to know that everybody can help, irrespective of financial status. Some people want to help, but they don’t know how to start. Some may be thinking that they do not have enough to help the underprivileged in the society.

    “But the truth is that you can start from your immediate community. You can adopt a neighbour of yours and empower him or her. We have varying capacities in rendering assistance.”

    The Osi Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Balogun, also said people should realise that they “don’t have to be a very rich person before you help”.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards and titles to the Olubadan and the Aare Onakakanfo among other deserving individuals.

  • Gani Adams, Olubadan and others charge Nigerians on poverty

    The Aare Onakakanfo (generalisimo) of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Director General, Ekiti State Council of Arts and Culture, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre are among the dignitaries who called for an all-encompassing approach to solving the socioeconomic challenges facing the people.

    The dignitaries made the calls in their separate remarks at a lecture and award ceremony, organised by a non-governmental organisation, Ceebee Gold Foundation International, which held at Mataan Hotel and Suites, Olorunda-Aba, Ibadan, on Sunday.

    Leading the call, the Aare Onakakanfo said spirited individuals must collaborate with government at all levels by providing help and support to the less privilege around them or support Non-Governmental Organisations established for the same purpose, if poverty must be tackled at the grassroots.

    He however challenged the government at both the federal and state levels to come up with and operate economic policies that would make it easier for the mass majority to be able to afford three square meals with better living condition.

    He described the current economic situations in the country as harsh as a result of high unemployment rate, noting that the government at all levels must do something about it urgently for the situation to abate.

    He said, “Many Nigerians live below one dollar per day. They cannot afford three square meals each day. The Federal Government and state government must rise to the situation.

    “We realised that government cannot do everything and this is why non-governmental organisations, like Ceebee Gold Foundation, Gani Adams Foundation and others have been complementing the efforts of government by helping the underprivileged in the society.

    “But government at all levels must fulfill their own parts. Jobs should be created. Infrastructural decadence should be fixed. Roads should be fixed.”

    Speaking on his passion and love for the Yoruba culture and the way to continually promote it, Adams, cautioned Yorubas within and outside the country against relegating or down playing their cultural identities wherever they are in the globe for a secured future for the Yoruba race.

    “The Yoruba sons and daughters should be proud of their culture. Your culture is your identity. They should not relegate their identity into the background. If you relegate your identity, your own children will feel inferior to identify with Yoruba identity.

    “So, let us promote our culture. I have been putting all into the promotion of Yoruba culture, and I will continue to do so. If you lose your culture, you have lost your identity.

    “It is a commendable thing to help the underprivileged. I have a foundation, Gani Adams Foundation that has been helping the underprivileged. Now, another non-governmental organisation, Ceebee Gold Foundation International, has come and has joined in helping to reduce poverty in Yorubaland and entire Nigeria.

    “I want to urge all and sundry that has been helping the underprivileged not to be discouraged. Please, continue in the good work. For those that have not been helping the underprivileged, kindly join in helping people, there are great rewards in it.”

    The Olubadan, Oba Adetunji commended Ceebee Gold Foundation for deeming it fit to locate its proposed vocational training centre in Ibadan despite the founder not been an indigene of the state.

    He prayed good success on the initiative while appealing to well-meaning individuals to give the NGO the needed support in the interest of the less privileged in the society.

    While speaking, the DG Ekiti State Council of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, said, “It is important to know that everybody can help, irrespective of financial status. Some people want to help, but they don’t know how to start. Some may be thinking that they do not have enough to help the underprivileged in the society.

    “But the truth is that you can start from your immediate community. You can adopt a neighbour of yours and empower him or her. We have varying capacities in rendering assistance.

    “If you have power to help one person do it. If your own capacity is big enough to assist 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000 and so on, please do it. By doing so, you are helping to wipe out poverty in the society.”

    The Osi Aare OnaKakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Balogun, also said people should realise that they “don’t have to be a very rich person before you help. It is not compulsory that you should give money. You can give what you have such as the clothes, shoes, wristwatches,  and so on, that you don’t need again.

    “Some people have 1,000 wristwatches and hundreds of shoes. You can give some of them to non-governmental organisations such as Ceebee Gold Foundation International for distribution to the underprivileged in the society.”

    Delivering the public lecture entitled “Using Non-Governmental Organisation as an Instrument for Community Development: A Ceebee Gold Foundation Approach”, the guest lecturer, Mr. Wahab Yusuf, of the Department of Public Administration, The Polytechnic Ibadan, gave statistical analysis of poverty rate in Nigeria.

    He urged ‘the haves’ in the country to help the ‘have-nots’, noting that “everyone can render assistance to the underprivileged in the society.

    High point of the event was the presentation of awards and titles to the Olubadan and the Aare Onakakanfo amongst other deserving individuals who have contributed to the support of the less privileged in the society.

  • Gani Adams, T.B Joshua reconciled

    The aged-long disaffection between Are-Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams and his kinsman,who is the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCAN), Pastor Temitope Joshua is over

    The duo are illustrious sons of Arigidi in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state.

    They had been having frosty relationship years back, for undisclosed reasons.

    However, sources said during the Fidau prayer for Gani Adams’s father, Lamidi Adams at Ansar ud deen(AUD) mosque ,Arigidi8-Akoko,at the weekend, the National Coordinator of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) described the SCAN founder and himself as great sons of Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo state and Nigeria looking for the progress of the country.

    He said he had visited the various projects Joshua embarked upon along Okeagbe-Akoko road, describing it as a welcome development aimed at reducing rural-urban drift in the community.

    Adams said “I was not born to be a Pastor, while Joshua was not born to play my own role as Are-Onakakanfo.

    He maintained that there was no amount of rumour mongering that could cause friction between them,stressing that the development of their community is paramount to them.

    Adams poured encomiums on the eminent cleric ,even though he was not physically present at the fidau prayer session.

    On the proposed new development areas to be created, Adams assured of his readiness to be involved in the exercise for the sake of his people.

    The Chief Imam of Arigidi Akoko, Sheik Jimoh Balogun described late Lamidi Adams as lover of peace who cherished his family and the community just like his son, Are Onakakanfo.

    Speaking at the occasion the National Organising Secretary of Ansar ud Deen Society of Nigeria, (AUD) Alhaji Ibrahim kilani urged Aare Onakakanfo to immortalise his father’s name by having project at the Summit University, Offa Kwara State.

    The traditional ruler of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun hailed the two sons in the community for their strive to develop his domain.

  • Lagos building collapse: My heart bleeds – Gani Adams

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, says his heart bleeds at the number of casualties recorded in the Ita-faji, Lagos building collapse.

    The three-storey building, which had a school on one of its floors, caved in on Wednesday morning, leaving no fewer than 20 persons, including children, dead, and many injured.

    Adams, in a statement, expressed sadness over the death of children in the building, and sympathized with the families of the victims.

    “I feel sad that the lives of many of those promising adults and young pupils could be cut short in such manner. It is sad. My heart bleeds at the number of casualties.

    Read Also: Don’t disenfranchise me, Gani Adams tells INEC

    “The sorrow I feel now is overwhelming, seeing the way they were being evacuated from the rubble of the building.

    “We cannot continue to experience all these happenings in Lagos state, cases of building collapse should be addressed holistically to forestall future occurrences.

    “At the same time, there is need for the state government to address the issue of building collapse urgently in the state, it is becoming too frequent. There should be standard in what we do as a people.

    “That is how it is done in other climes. Many of the buildings in Lagos, particularly, on the island, are old, and dilapidated.

    “Meanwhile, those contractors building the new ones, most times, use substandard materials, and nobody blinks an eye,” he said

    Adams also expressed concern on the standard of education in the state, saying private schools located in a residential apartments are of no standard.

    “Of what standard are schools located in residential apartments?” he queried.

    He advised the state government to step up in building of low-cost and affordable houses, so that residents would live comfortably.

    “Government must also ensure that private schools in the state are duly registered and that they are located in befitting and conducive environment,” Adams said.

    NAN

  • Use general elections to elect credible leaders, Aare Adams urges Nigerians

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Wednesday urged Nigerians to use the forthcoming general elections to elect Godfearing and credible leaders for the country.

    Adams also urged all politicians contesting the elections to go to the polls with civility, saying that Nigerians’ attitudes matter in ensuring a peaceful election.

    He, however, expressed the believe that restructuring would be the best option for Nigeria as a nation.

    “We are in the crucial week as election is few days away. Elections will come and go, but the future of Nigeria is very important to us as a people.

    “One of the mistakes we do make as Nigerians is that we place much premium on who becomes the President without setting strong agenda for the future.

    “There should be agenda setting for the Nigerian future, and that is why this election is the key.

    “It is the duty of all eligible Nigerians to vote, and in doing that, I am appealing to everyone to bear in mind the overall interest of the country,” Adams said.

    He also urged political leaders and candidates, irrespective of their political parties and affiliations, to put Nigeria first before their personal ambitions.

    “For instance, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, former President Goodluck Jonathan meant well for the nation.

    “When he said his personal ambition is not worth the blood of a Nigerian. As the president, he spearheaded an election, and eventually lost to the incumbent and heaven did not fall,” he said.

    Adams, however, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not to disappoint Nigerians, saying that there should be enough security at the polling units.

    “There should be adequate election materials for Nigerians to vote, ” Adams said in a statement in Lagos. (NAN)

  • Don’t disenfranchise me, Gani Adams tells INEC

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to disenfranchise him and other members of his family in the forthcoming general elections.

    The Yoruba leader spoke against the backdrop of the delay he reportedly encountered in collecting his permanent voter’s card.

    In a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, the Aare Onakakanfo said he had not receiveed his PVC, several months after registration.

    He said the delay was suspicious.

    “I think it is suspicious, and I feel bad that as I speak, I am yet to receive my PVC, including my wife’s and the rest of my family.

    “This is not good for us as Nigerians. It portends a grave danger to our democracy and the nation. Remember, the world is watching, especially at a time the elections are just a few days away.

    “I am saying this, not because I have any preferred candidate in the coming elections, but because it is my right and that of other Nigerians to vote and be voted for. I know many Nigerians would have been disenfranchised as a result of INEC’s failure to make the PVCs available to the electorate,” the statement said.

     

  • Aare Ona Kakanfo installs 21 chiefs across Yorubaland

     

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, on Saturday said the restructuring of Nigeria was important for the country to rise above its challenges and stay on the path of progress.

    Adams made the statement in Lagos at the installation of 21 Aare Onakakanfo chiefs –in-council.

    Adams said that restructuring to strengthen all the federating units would accelerate development of Nigeria.

    ‘’Solution to the problems bedeviling Nigeria is for the country to adopt restructuring.

    “We are living with these problems because we are reluctant to retrace our steps and adopt the system that suits us,” he said.

    Adams added that strengthening the federation units would help the country to realise its development goals.

    He said that the appointment and installation of the 21 chiefs was to assist him in his assignment as the Aare Onakakanfo, for success.

    He said that Yorubaland was vast and that he needed to delegate responsibilities to people across all the Yoruba speaking states since he could not be everywhere at the same time.

    READ ALSO: Gani Adams: Council of Yoruba Obas in Diaspora is illegal

    Adams said that appointment of chiefs by Aare Ona Kakanfo had precedence and that his action was sanctioned by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

    ‘’I appointed these 21 chiefs to help me to succeed. As the Aare Ona Kakanfo, my job covers the entire Yorubaland, but I cannot be everywhere at the same time.

    ‘’The people I am installing today as chiefs from everywhere we have indigenous Yoruba people, including Kogi and Kwara, will act for me in their respective domains and handle issues.

    ‘’They will interface with their local Obas and traditional chiefs to ensure peace and development in Yorubaland.

    ‘’I am not the first Aare to have appointed chiefs. In fact, I am the 13th Aare to have done that.

    “The only two who did not appoint chiefs were Aare Abiola and Akintola and that was because they were seriously engaged in politics and had limited time,” he said

    Adams that the appointment was to ensure effective service  in the interest of the Yoruba race.

    He said he would soon appoint a 70-member advisory council to advise him and his chiefs on ways to further move the Yoruba race forward.

    He urged the 21 chiefs who, he said, were selected based on their pedigrees, to justify the confidence reposed on them, by serving the people diligently.

    Some of the installed chiefs are a Labour Party chieftain, Dr Kayode Ajulo (Maiyegun Aare); Mr Ademola Ige (Baameto Aare); Mr Shola Oshunkeye (Baaroyin Aare) and Prof. Taofeek Raheem (Parakoyi Aare). (NAN)

  • Gani Adams calls for restructuring

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, on Saturday said the restructuring of Nigeria was important for the country to rise above its  challenges and stay on the path of progress.

    Adams made the statement in Lagos at the installation  of 21 Aare Onakakanfo chiefs –in-council.

    Some dignitaries who attended the elaborate ceremony are Mrs Titi Atiku-Abubakar, Wife of the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),    Chief Gbenga Daniel, Director-General of the Atiku Campaign Organisation and a former governor of Ogun, and Abiola, Wife of Mr Jimi Agbaje, the PDP Governorship Candidate in Lagos.

    Adams said that restructuring to strengthen all the federating units would accelerate development of Nigeria.

    ‘’Solution to  the problems bedeviling Nigeria is for the country to adopt restructuring.

    “We are living with these problems because we are relunctant to retrace our steps and adopt the system that suits us.

    Adams added that strengthening the federation units would help the country to realise its  development goals.

    He said that the appointment and installation of the 21 chiefs was to assist him in his assignment as the Aare Onakakanfo, for success.

    He said that Yorubaland was vast and that he needed to delegate responsibilities to people across all the Yoruba speaking states since he could not be everywhere at the same time.

    Adams said that appointment of chiefs by Aare Onakakanfo had precedence and that his action was sanctioned by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

    ‘’I appointed these 21 chiefs to help me to succeed. As the Aare Onakakanfo, my job covers the entire Yorubaland, but I cannot be everywhere at the same time.

    ‘’The people I am installing today as chiefs from everywhere we have indigenous Yoruba people, including Kogi and Kwara, will act for me in their respective domains and handle issues.

    ‘’They will interface with their local Obas and traditional chiefs to ensure peace and development in Yorubaland.

    ‘’I am not the first Aare to have appointed chiefs. In fact, I am the 13th Aare to have done that.

    “The only two who did not appoint chiefs were Aare Abiola and Akintola, and that was because they were seriously engaged in politics and had limited time,” he said

    Adams that the appointment was  to ensure effective service  in the interest of the Yoruba race.

    He said thst he would soon appoint a 70-member advisory council to advise him and his chiefs on ways to further move the Yoruba race forward.

    He urged the 21 chiefs who, he said, were selected based on their pedigrees, to justify the confidence reposed on them, by serving the people diligently.

    Daniel hailed Adams at the event for his efforts to move the Yoruba race forward.

    He urged the  Yorubas to always speak in one voice  as unity was important for  progress.

    NAN reports that some of the  installed chiefs are a Labour Party chieftain, Dr Kayode Ajulo (Maiyegun Aare), Mr Ademola Ige (Baameto Aare), Mr Shola Oshunkeye (Baaroyin Aare) and Prof.Taofeek Raheem (Parakoyi Aare). (NAN)

  • Sophie Oluwole’s death big loss to Yoruba, Nigeria, says Gani Adams

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams, has joined eminent Nigerians to mourn the death of eminent Professor of Philosophy, Sophie Oluwole.

    Adams described her death as a big loss to Nigeria, particularly the Yoruba nation.

    In a statement by his Media Assistant, Kehinde Aderemi, the Aare Onakakanfo said the late Prof. Oluwole played vital roles in promoting Yoruba cultural identity, using her wealth of experience to propagate the traditional language, even beyond the shores of Nigeria.

    ICYMI: Prof Sophie Oluwole dies at 83

    He said: “It is with great sense of loss that I send my heartfelt condolences to the Oluwole family on the death of their matriarch, Prof. Sophie Oluwole, renowned philosopher and Nigeria’s first female doctorate degree holder in philosophy. I join all members of the family, the academia and other close associates in mourning the cerebral philosopher, who, through her works, celebrated the Yoruba culture, history and worldview.

    “In her life, she projected to the Yoruba race positively to the world, that within the pristine of our traditions, are values that promote the ideals of democracy, fairness, equity and justice.”